Research in the area of angiogenesis reported from Tohoku University, Medical Department

   "Methods Acute myocardial infarction was created by surgically excising the proximal segment of the left circumflex coronary artery (n=20). In the early treatment protocol, the shock wave therapy was started 3 days after acute myocardial infarction, whereas in the late treatment protocol, the therapy was started 4 weeks after acute myocardial infarction (n=5 each). The remaining animals were treated in the same manner, but without the shock wave treatment in each protocol (n=5 each). Results In the early treatment protocol, left ventricular ejection fraction was higher (42 +/- vs. 32 +/- 1 %, P< 0.001) and left ventricular end-diastolic volume was smaller (95 1 vs. 99 2 ml, P< 0.05) in the shock wave group compared with the control group. Furthermore, wall thickening fraction (32 +/- 1 vs. 28 +/- 1 %, P< 0.01), regional myocardial blood flow (1.7 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.0 +/- 0.1 ml/min/g, P< 0.01), and number of capillaries in the border zone (1348 +/- 15 vs. 938 +/- 34 mm(2), P< 0.0001) were all significantly improved in the shock wave group compared with the control group. By contrast, in the late treatment group, no such beneficial effects of the shock wave therapy were noted," wrote T. Uwatoku and colleagues, Tohoku University, Medical Department.

   The researchers concluded: "Conclusion These results suggest that our extracorporeal cardiac shock wave therapy is also an effective and noninvasive therapy for improving left ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction when started in the early phase of the disorder."

   Uwatoku and colleagues published their study in Coronary Artery Disease (Extracorporeal cardiac shock wave therapy improves left ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction in pigs. Coronary Artery Disease, 2007;18(5):397-404).

   Additional information can be obtained by contacting H. Shimokawa, Tohoku University, Graduate School Medical, Dept. of Cardiovascular Medical, Aoba Ku, 1-1 Seiryomachi, Sendai, Miyagi 9808574, Japan.

   The publisher of the journal Coronary Artery Disease can be contacted at: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 530 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106-3621, USA.

   Keywords: Japan, Sendai, Angiogenesis, Oncology, Tumor Vascularization, Tohoku University, Medical Department.

   This article was prepared by Pharma Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Pharma Business Week via NewsRx.com.

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