Bioluminescence imaging of energy depletion in vascular pathology: patent ductus arteriosus and atherosclerosis

J Biophotonics. 2012 Apr;5(4):336-44. doi: 10.1002/jbio.201100096. Epub 2011 Dec 1.

Abstract

The artery wall may develop energy depletion due to insufficient nutritional supply. However, until recently it has not been possible to validate this hypothesis because no available technology has allowed assessment of energy metabolism with sufficient spatial resolution. We use high resolution bioluminescence metabolic imaging to study energy metabolism in two mechanistically different vascular pathologies: patent ductus arteriosus and atherosclerosis. Physiological energy depletion in postnatally constricting ductus arteriosus promotes permanent closure. Insufficient ductus energy depletion, common in preterm infants, is associated with persistent patent ductus arteriosus, a condition with significantly increased morbidity and mortality. In contrast, in atherosclerosis, energy depletion in the macrophage-rich lesion core promotes cell death contributing to lesion instability and disease progression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Arteries / metabolism
  • Atherosclerosis / metabolism*
  • Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / complications
  • Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / metabolism*
  • Energy Metabolism*
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Glycogen / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Lactic Acid / metabolism
  • Luminescent Measurements / methods*
  • Premature Birth / metabolism
  • Pyruvic Acid / metabolism
  • Rabbits

Substances

  • Lactic Acid
  • Pyruvic Acid
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Glycogen
  • Glucose