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SU‐GG‐I‐180: Application of Molecular Imaging in the Monitoring of Angiogenesis of a Hindlimb Ischemia Model
Author(s) -
Kagadis G,
Tsioupinaki K,
Loudos G,
Diamantopoulos A,
Soultanidis G,
Karnabatidis D,
Mihailidis D,
Nikiforidis G
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
medical physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.473
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 2473-4209
pISSN - 0094-2405
DOI - 10.1118/1.3468216
Subject(s) - hindlimb , angiogenesis , ischemia , nuclear medicine , collimator , dynamic imaging , medicine , animal model , integrin , chemistry , pathology , anatomy , receptor , image processing , physics , digital image processing , artificial intelligence , computer science , optics , image (mathematics)
Purpose : A v β 3 integrin expression is a characteristic feature of the angiogenic phenotype of endothelial cells. Targeted molecular imaging of integrins may be a further step forward in the evaluation of specific and early aspects of angiogenesis. The purpose of our study was to investigate the potential of molecular imaging with the aid of a dedicated high resolution γ camera in the rabbit hindlimb ischemia model. Method and Materials : A 99m Tc labeled cyclic RGD peptide ([c RGDfk‐His]‐ 99m Tc) was employed for angiogenesis imaging in the New Zealand white rabbits hindlimb ischemia model. Imaging of αvβ3 expression was performed in two animal groups. In group A imaging was employed 3 days and in group B 9 days post femoral artery occlusion (2 rabbits in each group). Each rabbit was injected intravenously with 200 μl of [c RGDfk‐His]‐ 99m Tc (0.5 mCi). Consequently dynamic planar imaging was performed with a high resolution gamma camera with FOV 5×10 cm, equipped with a parallel hole collimator. Static 8 minute images at 80 minutes post injection of the radiotracer were acquired. Results : We have imaged 4 rabbits. An increase of 12.2% was observed in group A in relative radiotracer retention at the ischemic hindlimb compared to control. In group B this relative radiotracer retention was increased to 25.8%. The control limbs showed an increase in the radiotracer retention at day 9 but still much lower compared to ischemic limbs. Moreover, radiotracer accumulation was observed to a region distal to the original area of occlusion, where the newly formed proximal collaterals are located. Conclusion : Our study demonstrates that the phenomenon of angiogenesis proceeds and is maximized within on day 9 following induction of ischemia in a mammalian experimental model. Further studies are deemed necessary in order to establish this conclusion and provide quantitative results.