Trinity has three sets of models used to investigate cardiovascular diseases:
1. Disease created by life-style factors
2. Blood pressure/hypertension
3. Anti-thrombosis and fibrinolysis
| In vitro | In vivo |
Cardiovascular | | Serum lipids |
| | High cholesterol diets |
| | Metabolic syndrome diets |
Hypertension | ANG Receptors | SHR rats |
| ACE inhibition | |
Thrombosis | Thrombolysis clotting | Platelet function |
1) Life style factors
The development of chronic cardiovascular conditions is influenced considerably by environmental and life-style factors. Trinity Bioactives has experience in using rodents that mimic some of these factors especially dietary and exercise related aspects.
Trinity can assess the influence of test products and preparations on the development of these conditions. Clinical and biochemical markers can be monitored at regular intervals over a study period, (for example; weight, blood pressure, and clinical chemistry.) At the conclusion of the study there is the option to conduct autopsies and anatomical, biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical assessments.
2) Blood pressure/hypertension
Trinity has both in vivo and in vitro models to investigate the potential of test products and preparations to change blood pressure.
Trinity has a range of cell culture models for studying the mechanisms of action of potential blood pressure modulators. For example, these can be used for studying the effect on the activity of angiotensin receptors or the activity of enzymes such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE).
The in vivo models can be used to measure the capacity and potential of test preparations to alter systemic blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic) using the appropriate animal models (eg. normotensive or hypertensive). Trinity has equipment specifically constructed for obtaining such data. The effect of test preparations on a range of clinical markers can be determined either simultaneously or separately.
These protocols can be employed as part of other investigations such as cardiovascular, renal, diabetic and metabolic syndrome research.
3) Anti-thrombosis and fibrinolysis
Trinity uses models to screen preparations that may inhibit thrombosis or may promote the dissolution of fibrin clots. These include in vitro systems that screen for fibrinolytic activity or that measure the ability of test compounds, extracts, preparations or products to inhibit or promote clotting.
Trinity has an in vivo model for investigating platelet functions such as clotting. Test materials are administered to rodents and blood pressure and platelet functions recorded over time.