OBJECTIVEThis study assessed cardiac function changes post embryonic stem cells (ESCs) perfusion at different concentrations in the isolated apolipoprotein-E gene deficiency (apo E-/-) and wild type (WT) hearts.

METHODSapo E-/- and WT mice hearts were isolated and retrogradely perfused (Langendorff model) and ESCs were infused with different concentrations (Low dose group: 1.0 x 10(6) cells, high dose group: 2.5 x 10(6) cells). Hemodynamic parameters including coronary flow (CF), heart rate (HR), dp/dtmax, dp/dtmin, left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), were recorded after stabilization period and at before, 5 min, 15 min and 30 min after cell perfusions. The number of cells in the transudate was counted.

RESULTSCardiac function parameters were similar before cell perfusion in apo E-/- and WT hearts. Cardiac function was significantly impaired after low dose cell perfusion in apo E-/- hearts while remained unchanged in WT hearts with the exception of lowered HR. Cardiac function was also significantly impaired after high dose cell perfusion in both apo E-/- and WT hearts, especially in apo E-/- murine hearts. Most of the cells perfused into the heart were expelled after 30 min (63.2% - 77.0%).

CONCLUSIONESCs perfusion into an isolated heart, especially in the atherosclerosis-prone hearts, in the Langed off model impaired cardiac function in a concentration-dependent manner.