Cardiovascular System

Heart - Atrophy

Narrative
Comment:
Atrophy of an entire organ is typically a gross diagnosis and may be confirmed with a decrease in organ weight. Histologically, cardiac atrophy is characterized by ventricular wall thinning and a decrease in cardiomyocyte cell size (Figure 1 and Figure 2). An observed decrease in cell size may be perceived as an increase in nuclear density. The exact mechanism of cardiomyocyte atrophy in the absence of concomitant degenerative disease is unknown but may be demonstrated in the mouse or rat via mechanical unloading or reduced hemodynamic demand.
Recommendations:
Heart - Atrophy should be recorded and graded based on the extent and distribution of the lesion. The location (e.g., atrium, ventricle) should be described in the narrative.
References:

Campbell SE, Korecky B, Rakusan K. 1991. Remodeling of myocyte dimensions in hypertrophic and atrophic rat hearts. Circ Res 68:984-996.

Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1826234

Elwell MR, Mahler JF. 1999. Heart, blood vessels, and lymphatics. In: Pathology of the Mouse: Reference and Atlas (Maronpot RR, Boorman GA, Gaul BW, eds). Cache River Press, Vienna, IL, 361- 380.

Greaves P. 2007. Cardiovascular system. In: Histopathology of Preclinical Toxicity Studies, 3rd ed (Greaves P, ed). Academic Press, New York, 270-333.

Ito T, Kimura Y, Uozumi Y, Takai M, Muraoka S, Matsuda T, Ueki K, Yoshiyama M, Ikawa M, Okabe M, Schaffer SW, Fujio Y, Azuma J. 2008. Taurine depletion caused by knocking out the taurine transporter gene leads to cardiomyopathy with cardiac atrophy. J Mol Cell Cardiol 44:927-937.

Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18407290

Jokinen MP, Lieuallen WG, Johnson CL, Dunnick J, Nyska A. 2005. Characterization of spontaneous and chemically induced cardiac lesions in rodent model systems: The National Toxicology Program experience. Cardiovasc Toxicol 5:227-244.

Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16046796

McKenzie WF, Alison R. 1990. Heart. In: Pathology of the Fischer Rat: Reference and Atlas (Boorman GA, Eustis SL, Elwell MR, Montgomery CA, MacKenzie WF, eds). Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 461-472.

Percy DH, Barthold SW. 2007. Pathology of Laboratory Rodents and Rabbits, 3rd ed. Blackwell, Ames, IA, 152-153.

Razeghi P, Baskin KK, Sharma S, Young ME, Stepkowski S, Essop MF, Taegtmeyer H. 2006. Atrophy, hypertrophy, and hypoxemia induce transcriptional regulators of the ubiquitin proteasome system in the rat heart. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 342:361-364.

Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16483544

Razeghi P, Volpini KC, Wang ME, Youker KA, Stepkowski S, Taegtmeyer H. 2007. Mechanical unloading of the heart activates the calpain system. J Mol Cell Cardiol 42:449-452.

Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17027024

Van Vleet JF, Ferrans VJ. 2007. Cardiovascular system. In: Pathologic Basis of Veterinary Disease, 4th ed (McGavin MD, Zachary JF, eds). Mosby, St. Louis, MO, 575-584.

Van Vleet JF, Ferrans VJ, Herman E. 2010. Cardiovascular and skeletal muscle systems. In: Handbook of Toxicologic Pathology, 2nd ed (Haschek WM, Rousseaux CG, Wallig MA, eds). Academic Press, New York, 335-346.

Zhu W, Shou W, Payne RM, Caldwell R, Field LJ. 2008. A mouse model for juvenile doxorubicin-induced cardiac dysfunction. Pediatr Res 64:488-494.

Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18614963
  • Image of atrophy in the heart from a male B6C3F1/N mouse in a chronic study

    Heart - Atrophy in a male B6C3F1/N mouse from a chronic study. Thinning of the right ventricular wall (arrow) and interventricular septum (arrowheads) is present.

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Heart - Atrophy in a male B6C3F1/N mouse from a chronic study. Thinning of the right ventricular wall (arrow) and interventricular septum (arrowheads) is present.
Heart - Atrophy in a male B6C3F1/N mouse from a chronic study. Thinning of the right ventricular wall (arrow) and interventricular septum (arrowheads) is present.
Heart - Atrophy in a male B6C3F1/N mouse from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). Atrophy is present in the right ventricular wall (arrow) and interventricular septum (arrowheads).
Heart - Atrophy in a male B6C3F1/N mouse from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). Atrophy is present in the right ventricular wall (arrow) and interventricular septum (arrowheads).

Authors:

Crystal L. Johnson, DVM, DACVP
Veterinary Pathologist II
Charles River Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC

Abraham Nyska, DVM, Diplomate ECVP, Fellow IATP
Expert in Toxicologic Pathology
Visiting Full Professor of Pathology
Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University Timrat Israel

Reviewers:

Brian Berridge, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Director, WW Animal Research Strategy
GlaxoSmithKline R&D
Research Triangle Park, NC

Mark F. Cesta, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Staff Scientist, NTP Pathologist
Cellular and Molecular Pathology Branch
Division of the National Toxicology Program
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Research Triangle Park, NC