Cage size and exercise affects infarct size in rat after coronary artery cauterization

Left coronary occlusion in the rat was performed by coronary artery cauterization. A small amount of myocardial damage at the site of occlusion was noted, and myocardial infarction occurred in the distal distribution of the obstructed coronary. The effects of cage size and level of physical activity on estimated infarct size (as measured by creatine kinase depletion) 48 h after occlusion were determined. Isolation in small cages and moderate treadmill exercise resulted in an approximate doubling of the amount of infarction when compared to grouping of rats in large cages. Mild exercise did not increase infarct size. Total urinary catecholamines in normal rats placed in small cages for 48 h were elevated when compared to unconfined rats in larger cages. Coronary artery occlusion by cauterization is an easily performed technique. Cage size and level of activity (and their effects on sympathoadrenal function) are important independent determinations of infarct extent after coronary occlusion in the rat.