221 Elevated CETP Activity is Associated With Low Dysfunctional HDL in South Asians

pared to the other groups (p 0.0002). The increased expression of c-kit, Nkx2.5 and connexin43 suggests greater cardiomyogenesis in the sLe-collagen matrix-treated hearts. Compared to baseline (1-wk post-MI), mice treated with the sLe-collagen matrix had an improved ejection fraction (EF) of 2.5% 2% compared to the PBS group (-4.1% 1.1%; p 0.008), while the collagen-treated group had a preserved EF of 0.6% 1.9% (p 0.05). Immunostaining for arterioles showed that the vascular network was greater in both matrixtreated groups ( 8.0 0.5 arterioles per FOV) compared to PBS (5.5 0.5 arterioles per FOV; p 0.004). The sLe-collagen matrix also reduced inflammation, as indicated by fewer CD68 macrophages (by 23%; p 0.03) and lower levels of inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IFN-a, TNF; by 22%; p 0.05). CONCLUSION: Treatment with the sLe-collagen matrix reduced inflammation and apoptosis and had a positive regenerative effect on the infarcted mouse heart, through improved vascular density, higher cell proliferation and possibly augmented cardiomyogenesis.