Experimental blunt chest trauma-induced myocardial inflammation and alteration of gap-junction protein connexin 43.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Severe blunt chest trauma in humans is associated with high mortality rates. Whereas lung tissue damage and lung inflammation after blunt chest trauma have extensively been investigated, the traumatic and posttraumatic effects on the heart remain poorly understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to define cardiac injury patterns in an experimental blunt chest trauma model in rats.

Methods

Experimental blunt chest trauma was induced by a blast wave in rats, with subsequent analysis of its effects on the heart. The animals were subjected either to a sham or trauma procedure. Systemic markers for cardiac injury were determined after 24 h and 5 days. Postmortem analysis of heart tissue addressed structural injury and inflammation 24 h and 5 days after trauma.

SUBMITTER: Kalbitz M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5679619 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature