Abstract
The salamander axolotl is capable of complete regeneration of amputated heart tissue. However, non-invasive imaging tools for assessing its cardiac function were so far not employed. In this study, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is introduced as a non-invasive technique to image heart function of axolotls. Three axolotls were imaged with magnetic resonance imaging using a retrospectively gated Fast Low Angle Shot cine sequence. Within one scanning session the axolotl heart was imaged three times in all planes, consecutively. Heart rate, ejection fraction, stroke volume and cardiac output were calculated using three techniques: (1) combined long-axis, (2) short-axis series, and (3) ultrasound (control for heart rate only). All values are presented as mean ± standard deviation. Heart rate (beats per minute) among different animals was 32.2±6.0 (long axis), 30.4±5.5 (short axis) and 32.7±4.9 (ultrasound) and statistically similar regardless of the imaging method (p > 0.05). Ejection fraction (%) was 59.6±10.8 (long axis) and 48.1±11.3 (short axis) and it differed significantly (p = 0.019). Stroke volume (μl/beat) was 133.7±33.7 (long axis) and 93.2±31.2 (short axis), also differed significantly (p = 0.015). Calculations were consistent among the animals and over three repeated measurements. The heart rate varied depending on depth of anaesthesia. We described a new method for defining and imaging the anatomical planes of the axolotl heart and propose one of our techniques (long axis analysis) may prove useful in defining cardiac function in regenerating axolotl hearts.
Highlights
In humans and most other mammals, the regenerative potential is limited and often restricted to certain tissues
ejection fraction (EF) and stroke volume (SV) are based on volumetric differences in the ventricle before and after contraction and appear unaffected by fluctuations in heart rate
cardiac output (CO) is based on heart rate (HR) and SV
Summary
In humans and most other mammals, the regenerative potential is limited and often restricted to certain tissues. Examples for cyclical regeneration include maintenance of skin, renewal of the intestinal lining, new blood vessel formation, hair, bone, as well as neurogenesis in the brain [1,2,3,4,5]. Many diseases and accidents may result in damaged tissues, organs, limbs, or other crucial structures that do not (fully) regenerate or restore their original.
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