Ultrasound-microbubble-induced neovascularization in mouse skeletal muscle

Ultrasound Med Biol. 2005 Oct;31(10):1411-22. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2005.06.010.

Abstract

Ultrasound-microbubble (US-MB) interactions stimulate neovascularization in rat gracilis muscle (GM). We examined microvascular remodeling (MVR) in GMs of C57BL/6 and balb/C mice following ultrasonic MB destruction. A range of MB dosages were administered IV, and exposed GMs received US. Muscles harvested 3, 7 and 14 d posttreatment were stained for vascular markers and assessed for changes in microvessel number, diameter and length. Muscles receiving a low MB dose (LMBD) and US showed significant increases in microvascular density after 3 d, returning to sham levels after one week. A MB dose producing maximum capillary disruptions was then established. This high MB dose (HMBD) facilitated significant MVR in C57BL/6 mice after one week. Balb/C GMs exhibited neovascularization 3 d, but not 7 or 14 d, following US-HMBD treatment. We conclude that HMBD in C57BL/6 mice induces a more sustained neovascularization response compared to balb/C or LMBD-treated C57BL/6 muscles; however, this response is still impermanent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Capillaries / diagnostic imaging*
  • Contrast Media / pharmacology
  • Hindlimb
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Microbubbles*
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Muscle, Skeletal / blood supply*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / diagnostic imaging
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / physiology*
  • Species Specificity
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional / methods*

Substances

  • Contrast Media