Modeling of Isoproterenol-Induced Chronic Heart Failure in 24-Month-Old Rats.

The development of chronic heart failure (CHF) was induced in 24-month-old male Wistar rats weighing 550-600 g by 4 subcutaneous injections of isoproterenol hydrochloride (ISO) at a dose of 10 mg/kg with 3-day intervals. The control group received injections of saline. The rats were euthanized 60 days after the last ISO/saline injection. The mortality rate in the group of rats with CHF was 30%. Histological studies showed morphological changes in the myocardium, kidneys, and lungs typical of CHF. The presented scheme of ISO administration can be used for modeling CHF in 24-month-old rats.