OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that stress-rest perfusion imaging of skeletal muscle in the lower extremity with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEU) could evaluate the severity of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). BACKGROUND: Perfusion imaging may provide …

In this study we evaluated the cardiac effects of a pharmaceutical formulation developed by including angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7) in hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD), in normal, infarcted, and isoproterenol-treated rats. Myocardial infarction was produced …

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been suggested to be involved in the central regulation of autonomic function. During chronic heart failure (CHF), elevated central angiotensin II signaling contributes to the sustained increase of sympathetic …

Background- The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang 1-7)/MasR (Mas receptor) axis are emerging as a key pathway that can modulate the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. We studied the effects of Ang 1-7 on diabetic …

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of contrast pulse sequence (CPS) ultrasound imaging for high-resolution perfusion imaging after gene transfer (GT) for therapeutic angiogenesis. BACKGROUND: Imaging modalities capable of …

This study tested the hypothesis that acute hyperglycemia reduces sciatic nerve blood flow in Sprague-Dawley rats. Anesthetized rats underwent cannulation of their right jugular vein (for anesthetic/nutrient/drug infusion) and right carotid artery (for …

We hypothesized that neuropeptide Y (NPY) exerts vasoconstrictor properties in sciatic nerve blood supply by a Y1 receptor (Y1R) mechanism. Using Doppler ultrasound (40MHz), we measured blood flow velocity through a sciatic nerve supply artery during …

The use of ultrasound-guided electrode positioning in near-nerve myography was investigated. This is a minimally invasive technique that allows repeated measurements to increase accuracy and hence decreases animal numbers. Ultrasound imaging of the …

Abstract Purpose: To investigate muscular micro-perfusion by employing dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and performing transient arterial occlusion in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM-2). Methods: Twenty DM-2 patients (mean age, 58 ± …

Intermittent claudication is a form of exercise intolerance characterized by muscle pain during walking in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Endothelial cell and muscle dysfunction are thought to be important contributors to the etiology of …