Cardiovascular Studies
Comparative Biosciences, Inc. has extensive experience in cardiovascular studies, in particular, stent preclinical studies, in balloon angioplasty, in the LAD model, in ApoE mice and in the histopathology to support these studies. Our in vivo preclinical facility has conducted numerous cardiovascular studies.
Our clients include the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology companies, vascular biotechnology and device companies, and academic cardiovascular and orthopedic research laboratories.
In addition to our highly qualified and experienced preclinical group and histology laboratory, all aspects of our cardiovascular science is overseen by experienced PhDs and a Board Certified Veterinary Pathologist, assuring the scientific integrity of all phases of our studies.
- In Vivo Balloon Angioplasty
- In Vivo Stent or other Vascular Device Deployment
- Myocardial Infarction or LAD
- Atherosclerosis in the ApoE Mouse
- Cardiovascular Histopathology
- Supporting Capabilities
In Vivo Balloon Angioplasty
 We have conducted numerous rat and rabbit balloon angioplasty in vivo studies in which neointimal proliferation was induced and various proprietary methods of treatment were employed. Based upon our experience, we consistently produce a solid, uniform, and reproducible degree of neointimal proliferation. We have worked with both the carotids and the aorta (via the femoral) in rats. In rabbits, we have conducted numerous balloon angioplasty in vivo studies in the aorta, the carotids and the ear arteries in the CBI Titan®, normal NZW and the Watanabe rabbit.
Rabbits
- Species: NZW, Watanabe and CBI Titan®
- Regular or high fat diet
- Consistent, reproducible and statistically relevant neointimal proliferation between animals, groups and studies
- Acceleration of lesions by use of immunomodulators
- With or without stent deployment
- Various treatment modalities including perivascular wraps, gene therapy, phototherapy, and systemic pharmacologic agents
- Carotid, aorta, and central ear arteries
- Paraffin, plastic, or ground sections
- Special histopathology and immunohistochemistry
- Histomorphometry analysis of vascular changes
Rats
- Species: Standard strains or others
- Regular or high fat diet
- Consistent, reproducible and statistically relevant neointimal proliferation between animals, groups and studies
- Acceleration of lesion by use of immunomodulators
- With or without stent deployment
- Carotid, aorta, and central ear arteries
- Paraffin, plastic, or ground sections
- Various treatment modalities including perivascular wraps, gene therapy, phototherapy, and systemic pharmacologic agents
- Special histopathology and immunohistochemistry
- Histomorphometry analysis of vascular changes
In Vivo Stent or other Vascular Device Deployment
 Rats and rabbits- With or without angioplasty
- Coated (drug eluting) or uncoated stents
- Acute or chronic duration studies
- Paraffin, plastic, or ground sections
- Special histopathology and immunohistochemistry
- Histomorphometry analysis of vascular changes
Myocardial Infarction or LAD
-
 Myocardial infarction modeling in rats and rabbits
- Ischemia or reperfusion
- Acute or chronic duration
- Complete EKG data capture
- Hematology, clinical chemistry, troponins
- Dye exclusion (Evan’s blue, TCC) studies at necropsy
- Histopathology, special stains, immunohistochemistry
- Histomorphometry of lesion site
Atherosclerosis in the ApoE Mouse
 ApoE mice placed on high fat diet- 10 mice per group; normal diet, high fat diet, three treatment groups with test article
- Daily clinical observations and weekly body weights
- Necropsy with perfusion.
- Hearts are collected and processed using a modified Paigen gelatin technique
- Routine, special stains, immunohistochemistry
- Aorta and vessels evaluated by ACVP Board Certified Pathologist, scored and assessed histomorphometrically
Cardiovascular Histopathology
 Our GLP histology lab has prepared many different types of vascular stents, coated and uncoated, in pigs, sheep, and goats as well as small animals such as rats and rabbits, both in situ and ex situ. We prepared vessels alone, and vessels containing cardiovascular stents, stents in the renal arteries, femoral arteries, carotid arteries, vena cavas, and peripheral vessels. We prepared paraffin, plastic and ground sections. Our grinding capabilities are state of the art and meet all standards put forth, for example in a pivotal publication by Malik, et al., 1998. We have also performed extensive special staining and immunohistochemistry on plastic resin sections.
Paraffin Histopathology
- Routine paraffin preparation
- Routine and special stains
- Mega sections
- Immunohistochemistry
- Pathology
- Histomorphometry
 Plastic Histopathology
- In Situ Medical Device Preparation
- Resin based embedding and infiltration with MMA or GMA, others upon request
- Block cutting with diamond saw
- Sectioning with tungsten knife
- Routine and special stains
- Immunohistochemistry
- Pathology
- Histomorphometry
 Ground Sections
- Resin based embedding and infiltration with MMA or GMA, others upon request
- Block cutting with diamond saw
- Grinding and polishing with Ecomet Grinder
- Specialized adhesive slide preparation
- Routine and special stains
- Immunohistochemistry
- Pathology
- Histomorphometry
Immunohistochemistry
 Plastic, paraffin, or frozen sections- Wide variety of antibodies validated, including:
- T cells, B cells, macrophages
- MCH
- TGF-beta
- Smooth muscle actin
- Collagen
- TUNEL, PCNA, caspases
- Pathology
- Histomorphometry
Histomorphometry
-
 Analysis and quantification of vessel wall or other tissue changes
- Neointimal proliferation
- Vascular wall changes
- Regions of cardiac ischemia including stacks
- Photographic capture
- Analysis of lesions or findings with Image Capture Technology
- Statistical analysis of data
Classes of Therapeutic Agents Used in Angioplasty or other Cardiovascular Studies
- Small Molecules
- Proteins
- Antibodies
- Gene Therapies
- Viral Vectors
- Stem Cells
 Methods of Drug Delivery
- Perivascular wraps
- Coated Stents
- Local perivascular delivery
- Local intravascular delivery
- Systemic routes
- Photo therapy
Supporting Capabilities
We also conduct a full range of pharmaceutical toxicology and pharmacokinetics, which is an important adjunct to drug eluting stents. We have experience placing drugs intrathecally to support brain and carotid stents.
- Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Studies
- Acute, Subacute and Chronic Toxicity Studies
- Routes of administration
- Oral, IV, IM, SC, IP, Infusion
- Intrathecal Administration (useful for cerebral coated stents)
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