Histological changes of the right ventricular remodeling in Xinjiang Marmota baibacina adapted to high-altitude hypoxia / 中国实验动物学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the histological changes of the right ventricular remodeling in Xinjiang Mar-mota baibacina which are adapted to high-altitude hypoxia .Methods Hematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining was used to examine the pathological changes and degree of fibrosis , and immunohistochemical technique was used to detect connexin 43 ( CX43) expression in the right ventricular myocardium .Results In the right ventricular myocardium , cardio-myocyte hypertrophy and increased amount of collagen fibers were observed .The right ventricular hypertrophy index and weight index of Marmota baibacina were significantly higher , and expression of CX43 was significantly reduced than that of normal rats ( P<0.05 for both ) .Conclusions High-altitude hypoxia induces right ventricular remodeling in Xinjiang Marmota baibacina.It can be used as an ideal animal model for studies on the mechanisms of hypoxia adaptation on high -altitude plateau .