ifetroban and Disease-Models--Animal

Background Muscular dystrophy (MD) causes a progressive cardiomyopathy characterized by diffuse fibrosis, arrhythmia, heart failure, and early death. Activation of the thromboxane-prostanoid receptor (TPr) increases calcium transients in cardiomyocytes and is proarrhythmic and profibrotic. We hypothesized that TPr activation contributes to the cardiac phenotype of MD, and that TPr antagonism would improve cardiac fibrosis and function in preclinical models of MD. Methods and Results Three different mouse models of MD (mdx/utrn double knockout, second generation mdx/mTR double knockout, and delta-sarcoglycan knockout) were given normal drinking water or water containing 25 mg/kg per day of the TPr antagonist ifetroban, beginning at weaning. After 6 months (10 weeks for mdx/utrn double knockout), mice were evaluated for cardiac and skeletal muscle function before euthanization. There was a 100% survival rate of ifetroban-treated mice to the predetermined end point, compared with 60%, 43%, and 90% for mdx/utrn double knockout, mdx/mTR double knockout, and delta-sarcoglycan knockout mice, respectively. TPr antagonism improved cardiac output in mdx/utrn double knockout and mdx/mTR mice, and normalized fractional shortening, ejection fraction, and other parameters in delta-sarcoglycan knockout mice. Cardiac fibrosis in delta-sarcoglycan knockout was reduced with TPr antagonism, which also normalized cardiac expression of claudin-5 and neuronal nitric oxide synthase proteins and multiple signature genes of Duchenne MD. Conclusions TPr antagonism reduced cardiomyopathy and spontaneous death in mouse models of Duchenne and limb-girdle MD. Based on these studies, ifetroban and other TPr antagonists could be novel therapeutics for treatment of the cardiac phenotype in patients with MD.

Topics: Animals; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Cardiomyopathies; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred mdx; Mice, Knockout; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne; Oxazoles; Prostaglandin Antagonists; Random Allocation; Receptors, Thromboxane

Numerous studies have shown that elevated plasma cholesterol can exacerbate renal disease. However, the effect of lipids on renal structure and vascular function in normal kidneys is less well established. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of hypercholesterolaemia on glomerular structure and vascular reactivity of segmental arteries in rabbits. In addition, we also studied whether or not atorvastatin can prevent these structural and vascular alterations in hypercholesterolaemic rabbits.. Male New Zealand rabbits were fed either a normal rabbit chow or a diet containing 1% cholesterol and treated or not with atorvastatin (1 mg/kg/day) for 12 weeks. Dose-response curves to acetylcholine (10(-9)-10(-4) mol/l) and sodium nitroprusside (10(-9)-10(-4) mol/l) were studied in segmental arteries in the presence or absence of the thromboxane A2/PGH2 receptor antagonist ifetroban (10(-5) mol/l). Glomerular size and structure were also evaluated.. Compared with control animals, hypercholesterolaemic rabbits presented glomerular hypertrophy and several types of injuries (capillary collapse, hyalinosis and alterations of Bowman's capsule), suggesting diffuse glomerulosclerosis. Segmental arteries also showed relaxing responses to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside which were lower than and similar to, respectively, those of control animals. The presence of ifetroban improved the acetylcholine response only in hypercholesterolaemic rabbits. Atorvastatin treatment prevented vascular and most glomerular changes associated with hypercholesterolaemia even in the presence of very high cholesterol levels.. Atorvastatin exerts a protective effect on renal damage associated with hypercholesterolaemia even in the presence of deleterious levels of plasma cholesterol.

Topics: Acetylcholine; Animals; Anticholesteremic Agents; Atorvastatin; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Cholesterol, Dietary; Disease Models, Animal; Endothelium, Vascular; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental; Heptanoic Acids; Hypercholesterolemia; Kidney; Male; Nitroprusside; Oxazoles; Phenylephrine; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Pyrroles; Rabbits; Renal Circulation; Vasodilation

An experimental model of acute thrombosis was developed in pentobarbital- anesthetized ferrets. A 10-min anodal electrical stimulation of 1 mA was delivered to the external surface of the carotid artery while measuring carotid blood flow (CBF). This produced an occlusive thrombus in all vehicle-treated ferrets within 41 +/- 3 min with an average weight of 8 +/- 1 mg (n = 7). These thrombi were enriched in both platelets and fibrin and were adherent at the site of transmural vascular injury as determined by light and electron microscopy. To determine the model's sensitivity to antiplatelet drugs, aspirin or a thromboxane (TxA2) receptor antagonist (ifetroban) were administered 15 min before electrical stimulation. Thrombus weight was reduced 58% by aspirin (10 mg/kg, i.v.) and 74% by ifetroban (1 mg/kg + 1 mg/kg per hr, i.v.). Both drugs also improved CBF and decreased vascular occlusion. Ferrets were more sensitive than rats to aspirin's inhibition of collagen-induced platelet aggregation as determined ex vivo in whole blood. Separate in vitro platelet aggregation studies revealed species differences in reactivity to U-46619 (TxA2 receptor agonist) and collagen in the order of human > ferret > rat, with relatively lesser variations in ADP responses. These studies identify the ferret as a useful species for evaluating antithrombotic drugs in a model in which aspirin is efficacious.

Topics: 15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5,13-dienoic Acid; Animals; Aspirin; Blood Platelets; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Carotid Arteries; Carotid Artery Injuries; Collagen; Disease Models, Animal; Electric Stimulation; Ferrets; Fibrin; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Oxazoles; Platelet Aggregation; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Prostaglandin Endoperoxides, Synthetic; Prothrombin Time; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Regional Blood Flow; Species Specificity; Thrombosis; Thromboxane A2; Vasoconstrictor Agents

We determined the effect of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) prostaglandin endoperoxide (TP) receptor antagonism, using BMS-180291 or aspirin, on the severity of pacing-induced ischemia in anesthetized dogs. Thromboxane receptor antagonists may not only have antithrombotic activity, but may also have direct cardioprotective effects, unlike aspirin. Left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) stenosis was adjusted so that a significant (10-12 mV) ST segment elevation was observed only when superimposed on atrial pacing. Each heart was subjected to 5-min episodes of pacing-induced ischemia 10, 40, and 70 min after initiation of BMS-180291 (1 mg/kg + 1 mg/kg/h) or vehicle. In the vehicle group, ST segment elevation was reproducible at all pacing-induced ischemia episodes, whereas BMS-180291 significantly reduced it by 30% at the later ischemia episodes. This reduction in ST segment increase was not accompanied by alterations in regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF) nor in hemodynamic status. Aspirin in the same model [10 mg/kg intravenously (i.v.) given 10 min before pacing-induced ischemia] did not significantly reduce ST segment elevation, indicating a lack of protective effect in this model. Thromboxane receptor blockade appears to protect myocardium subjected to pacing-induced ischemia, an effect not produced by aspirin.

Topics: Angina Pectoris; Animals; Aspirin; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; Coronary Circulation; Disease Models, Animal; Dogs; Female; Hemodynamics; Injections, Intravenous; Male; Myocardial Ischemia; Oxazoles; Propionates; Radioligand Assay; Receptors, Thromboxane

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by recurrent thromboembolic phenomena, recurrent fetal loss and thrombocytopenia associated with high titers of IgG anticardiolipin antibodies and/or lupus anticoagulant. There is an increased platelet aggregation in these patients and thus aspirin was found to be effective in abrogating some of the clinical findings. The purpose of this study was to employ the experimentally induced APS in mice infused with anticardiolipin antibodies, to study the effect of a thromboxane receptor antagonist (BMS, 180, 291) on the various overt manifestations of APS. Experimental APS was induced in pregnant female mice by iv infusion of a pathogenic anticardiolipin antibody (CAM). The mice were then treated daily with 300 micrograms/mouse of BMS. The study group and the untreated group were killed on day 17 of pregnancy. Live and absorbed fetuses and the mean weight of the placentae, fetuses and platelet counts were recorded. BMS treated mice had a significant reduction in fetal resorption rate from 45% to 19.8% and an increase in mean placental and embryo weights (182 vs 104, 1043 vs 721 mg, respectively). In parallel, an increase in platelet count (from 597,100 to 1075,000 platelets/mm3) and decrease in activated thromboplastin time (95 to 44s) was seen. It seems that thromboxane receptor antagonist may be effective in abrogating the diverse manifestations seen in APLS. Increased platelet aggregation may be one of the pathogenetic mechanisms in APS.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Anticardiolipin; Antiphospholipid Syndrome; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Disease Models, Animal; Embryo, Mammalian; Female; Fetal Resorption; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Organ Size; Oxazoles; Partial Thromboplastin Time; Placenta; Platelet Aggregation; Platelet Count; Pregnancy; Propionates; Receptors, Thromboxane

We determined the effects of aspirin and a novel thromboxane A2/prostaglandin endoperoxide (TP)-receptor antagonist, BMS-180291, on thrombosis and bleeding times in skin and mesenteric arteries. In anesthetized rats, occlusive thrombosis was induced in the carotid artery by topical application of ferrous chloride and in the vena cava by blood flow stasis combined with either infusion of thromboplastin or hypotonic saline. Aspirin (1, 10, and 50 mg/kg) did not reduce arterial or venous thrombus weight significantly. BMS 180,291 (150 micrograms/kg/min) decreased arterial thrombus weight and hypotonic saline-induced caval thrombus weight by 58 and 57%, respectively. BMS-180291 lacked antithrombotic activity at a lower dose (50 micrograms/kg/min) and failed to inhibit thromboplastin-induced caval thrombosis. BMS-180291 (150 micrograms/kg/min) significantly reduced arterial thrombus weight by 40% when plasma epinephrine concentration was increased to 5 ng/ml. BMS-180291 and aspirin produced increases of only < or = 30% in bleeding times. These results demonstrate that BMS-180291 has antithrombotic activity in experimental aspirin-resistant arterial and venous thrombosis. Both aspirin and BMS-180291 have only modest effects on small artery hemostasis in rats.

Topics: Animals; Aspirin; Bleeding Time; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Carotid Artery Thrombosis; Disease Models, Animal; Epinephrine; Male; Mesenteric Arteries; Oxazoles; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Propionates; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Thromboxane; Thrombosis; Venae Cavae