IL-6 Infusion In Vivo
Objective: To explore the hypothesis that elevated levels of IL-6 mediate adverse myocardial remodeling by infusing IL-6 in vivo and assessing left ventricular function, myocardial collagen content, and cardiomyocyte dimensions
Protocol Steps
IL-6 infusion via osmotic minipump
Adult male Sprague Dawley rats received continuous intraperitoneal infusion of IL-6 at a dose of 2.5 μg·kg⁻¹·hr⁻¹ using an osmotic minipump
Note: Aged-matched control rats received vehicle infusion via the same method
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“adult male Sprague Dawley rats were infused with IL-6 (2.5 μg·kg⁻¹·hr⁻¹, IP) for 7 days via osmotic minipump and compared to vehicle infused aged-matched controls”
Left ventricular function evaluation
After the 7-day infusion period, left ventricular function was assessed using a blood-perfused isolated heart preparation
View evidence from paper
“Left ventricular function was evaluated using a blood-perfused isolated heart preparation”
Myocardial collagen assessment
Myocardial interstitial collagen volume fraction was measured in tissue samples
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“myocardial interstitial collagen volume fraction and isolated cardiomyocyte size were also assessed”
Cardiomyocyte size measurement
Isolated cardiomyocyte size was assessed, including width and length measurements
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“isolated cardiomyocyte size were also assessed”
Isolated cardiac fibroblast experiments
Isolated adult cardiac fibroblast experiments were performed to determine the importance of the soluble IL-6 receptor in mediating cardiac fibrosis
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“Isolated adult cardiac fibroblast experiments were performed to determine the importance of the soluble IL-6 receptor in mediating cardiac fibrosis”