[The effect of basic fibroblast growth factor on angiogenesis and on the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in acute infarcted myocardium].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of intramyocardial administration of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the angiogenesis and on the expression of bFGF and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in infarcted myocardium. METHODS: Twenty-four mongrel dogs were randomized into control group and therapeutic group. Acute myocardial infarction was made by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery distal to its first diagonal branch. After coronary artery was occlused, 50 micrograms of basic fibroblast growth factor in 15 ml of normal saline were injected into the infarcted myocardium and its border zone in therapeutic group, whereas the same volume of normal saline alone was used in control dogs. Every 3 dogs in each group was studied on the 1st day, the 3rd day, the 10th day and the 17th day after surgery respectively. With sensitivity encoded technique, cine MR was performed on each dog before euthanasia to evaluate the cardiac function. Angiogenesis and the expression of VEGF and bFGF were evaluated by immunohistochemical studies with factor VIII and the antibodies of VEGF and bFGF. RESULTS: In therapeutic group, left ventricular ejection fraction, improved markedly since the 10th day after injection of bFGF. Microvessel density was higher in the therapeutic group than in the control group except on the first day. VEGF and bFGF expressed more in the therapeutic group. CONCLUSION: Intramyocardial administration of bFGF is useful in increasing the growth of microvessels and improving the left ventricular function in acute myocardial infarction.