Detection of Transferrin Receptor Over-Expression in a Rodent Model of Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Using Novel 99mTc Transferrin Conjugates: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Reperfusion of ischemic myocardium is necessary to salvage tissue from eventual death. However, new pathophysiological changes are initiated after reperfusion. The aim of this study was to investigate one of the mechanisms of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, and we focused on transferrin. Materials and Methods: Male Spragre-Dawley (SD) rats were used for the I/R model. Myocardial ischemia was produced by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 minutes.