Exploration of the changes of brain structure in mice with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging

Zhang Xinyu; Li Guoqi; Yang Jie; Li Yilin; Li Yulin

doi:10.3760/j.issn.1673-4777.2025.05.004

Abstract：Objective The purpose of this study is to explore the changes of brain structure in mice with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF)using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),in order to provide scientific basis for understanding the pathophysiological mechanism of the disease and developing new treatment methods.Methods Sixty specific pathogen free male C57BL/6J mice were selected and divided into control group and HFpEF group by body weight stratification,with 30 mice in each group.The control group was given normal diet and drinking ordinary water freely.In HFpEF group,HFpEF model was established by high-fat diet combined with L-nitroarginine methyl ester double hit.The brain structure of mice was assessed by high-resolution MRI combined with the voxel-based morphometry technique,and significant regions were identified by statistical analysis.Results Compared with the control group,the HFpEF group had a significant increase in gray matter volume in the right parahippocampal gyrus at 36 and 60 weeks of intervention[(0.92±0.08),(1.05±0.09)mm3 vs(0.78±0.06)mm3](both P＜0.05).The peak MNI coordinates were X=-11.4,Y=-14.1,Z=16.2,F value was 47.62,and the cluster size was 2 060 voxels.The gray matter volume of arcuate nucleus and paraventricular nucleus of the HFPEF group in the 36 week and 60 week were significantly greater than those of the control group,and the gray matter volume of ventromedial nucleus and dorsolateral nucleus of the HFPEF group also showed a significant increase in the 60 week(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).In addition,the gray matter volume of the anterior thalamus of the HFPEF group was also significantly greater in the 60 week than that of the control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion HFpEF can lead to significant changes in brain structure in mice,especially in the parahippocampal gyrus and some nuclei of the hypothalamus.These structural changes may be closely related to the pathophysiological mechanism of HFpEF.