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Quantitative Cardiac MRI Reveals Functional Abnormalities in Intrauterine Growth Restricted (IUGR) Baboons


G Clarke

G Clarke*, J Li , A Kuo , P Nathanielsz , UT Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, TX

Presentations

TU-G-CAMPUS-I-13 (Tuesday, July 14, 2015) 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM Room: Exhibit Hall


Purpose: Developmental programming occurs in utero, when epigenetic adaptations result in offspring phenotypes that lead to health consequences persisting throughout life. Programming of cardiac health, due to prenatal malnutrition, has been reported in rodents but not in primate species. Our aim was to determine IUGR is associated with impaired cardiac function in later life in a baboon model.

Methods:Intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR, mothers were subjected to a 30% calories reduction) baboons were scanned with cine cardiac MRI measuring ejection fraction, left ventricular (LV) volumes, LV peak filling rate (LVPFR) and the LV 3D sphericity index (3DSI). Baboons were anesthetized and the respirator was turned off during scans. Three groups of baboons were studied: adult control (CTR): N=21 (11M, 10 F), age = 5.9±1.3 yr., IUGR: N=9(4M, 5F), age = 4.6±0.5 yr., and normal elderly adults (ELD): N=11(5M, 6 F), age = 15.3±2.4 yr. Images were analyzed using CMR42 software. LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) and end-systolic volumes (ESV) were referenced to body-surface areas (BSA). Linear regression, correlation and ANOVA with Bonferroni correction were performed between for each of the three groups (p<.05 deemed significant).

Results:Systolic LV function in all three groups was normal. There were significant differences between the three groups for 3DSI and LVPFR by ANOVA. (p<.01) Linear regression and correlation were performed between 3DSI and LVFR data for each of the three groups. CTR: r=0.01(p=NS); IUGR: r=0.881 (p<.02); ELD: r=0.724 (p<.05).

Conclusions: All subjects had normal systolic function but diastolic dysfunction was associated with IUGR and aging. Results are consistent with reports of increased fibrosis and changes in the distribution of titin isoforms in IUGR fetal baboon heart tissues. The data suggest that developmental programming, due to IUGR, accelerates processes leading to diastolic heart dysfunction, which is common with aging.

Funding Support, Disclosures, and Conflict of Interest: GDC:NIH/K25-KDK089012A. AJK:NIH/R25-EB016631 PN: EU/BRAINAGE-IMPACT OF PRENATAL STRESS ON BRAIN AGE(FP7-HEALTH-2011).


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