心力衰竭患者心肌中血清反应因子的表达量变化

目的：研究血清反应因子在心力衰竭患者心肌中表达量的变化。方法：将收集的心室肌标本制备成细胞悬液,用流式细胞仪检测心肌细胞中血清反应因子含量。结果：心功能正常组心肌细胞中血清反应因子含量明显高于心力衰竭组,两组差异显著。结论：在心力衰竭过程中,血清反应因子明显减少,并可能以量变的方式来实现对心脏特异性基因的转录调控作用。     

PKC βII特异性抑制剂LY333531减缓心肌梗死后心肌纤维化

目的:探讨蛋白激酶CβⅡ(PKCβⅡ)特异性抑制剂LY333531对心梗后大鼠心功能和心肌纤维化的保护作用。方法:利用左冠状动脉降支(LAD)结扎制备大鼠心梗模型,将手术4周后出现心衰的大鼠分为模型组(MF+NS)和治疗组(MF+LY333531),分别给予生理盐水和LY333531(10 mg/kg/d)处理6周,检测各组大鼠体重和各项心功能指标,利用HE染色观察各组大鼠心肌组织形态变化,利用天狼星红染色观察心肌组织胶原沉积情况。结果:相对于模型组,LY333531处理组大鼠左心室缩短率(FS)明显改善(从21%到35%)。HE染色显示LY333531能够部分逆转心衰大鼠心室壁肥厚和心肌细胞宽度,天狼星红染色显示治疗组胶原蛋白沉积降低150%。结论:使用LY333531选择性抑制PKCβⅡ能够改善心梗后心力衰竭模型大鼠心脏功能和抑制心肌纤维化。     

附子不同组分抗急性心力衰竭大鼠的实验研究

从血流动力学和神经体液因子两方面探讨附子不同组分对大鼠急性心力衰竭模型的治疗作用。采用盐酸普罗帕酮复制急性心力衰竭模型,记录造模前后以及给药后5、10、20、30、60 min大鼠心脏频率(HR)、左心室最大上升速率(+dp/dt_(max))和左心室最大下降速率(-dp/dt_(max))值的变化,并测定血清中Ang-Ⅰ、Ang-Ⅱ、TNF-α和ANP含量。结果显示,正常大鼠造模后,其HR和+dp/dt_(max)明显降低,-dp/dt_(max)明显升高,且Ang-Ⅰ、Ang-Ⅱ、TNF-α、ANP均有升高趋势。与模型组比较,总生物碱组和水溶性生物碱组可不同程度的升高模型大鼠各时间点的HR、+dp/dt_(max),降低-dp/dt_(max);且总生物碱组、水溶性生物碱组、脂溶性生物碱组和多糖组均有一定降低模型大鼠血清中Ang-Ⅰ、Ang-Ⅱ、TNF-α、ANP水平含量的趋势。结果表明总生物碱对改善血流动力学作用最强,其次是水溶性生物碱,且两者均能显著降低血清中与心力衰竭有关的神经体液因子,有效治疗急性心力衰竭,由此可见,附子水溶性生物碱以及总生物碱是其发挥强心作用的主要物质基础。     

miR-146a调控PI3K/Akt信号通路促进心力衰竭大鼠心肌细胞凋亡

目的:探讨miR-146a对心力衰竭大鼠的保护作用及对心肌细胞的影响,并探讨其可能机制。方法:随机选择6只SPF级不进行起搏处理的SD大鼠为假手术组(A组),剩余大鼠构建心力衰竭大鼠模型,随机分为模型组(B组)、转染miR-146a抑制剂腺病毒的心力衰竭大鼠(C组)、转染未携带miR-146a抑制剂腺病毒的心力衰竭大鼠(D组),每组6只,观察对心力衰竭大鼠的影响。qRT-PCR测定大鼠心肌组织miR-146a的表达,小动物超声成像系统检测大鼠的心脏超声心动图,HE染色及TUNEL法观察大鼠心肌的病变程度及心肌细胞的凋亡情况,Western印迹检测心肌细胞PI3K、p-PI3K、Akt、p-Akt、Cleaved caspase-3和Cleaved caspase-9的表达。结果:B组大鼠心肌组织中miR-146a的表达水平明显较A组上调(P0.05);C组大鼠心肌组织中miR-146a的表达水平明显较B组下调(P0.05);C组大鼠LVEF、LVFS明显较B组上升(P0.05);C组大鼠心肌病变程度明显较B组改善;C组大鼠心肌细胞凋亡率明显较B组下降(P0.05);C组大鼠心肌组织Cleaved caspase-3、Cleaved caspase-9蛋白的表达水平明显较B组下调(P0.05);C组大鼠PI3K、Akt蛋白的磷酸化水平明显较B组高(P0.05)。结论:miR-146a在心力衰竭大鼠心肌组织中呈高表达。miR-146a可能通过抑制PI3K/Akt信号通路发挥其促进心肌细胞凋亡的作用,进而促进疾病的发生与进展。     

骨髓间充质干细胞移植对心衰大鼠心肌结构和功能的影响

研究骨髓间充质干细胞(MSC)移植对心力衰竭(简称心衰)大鼠心肌结构和功能的影响以及在病损心肌体内分化为心肌细胞的情况。将96只Wistar大鼠,用阿霉素成功诱导了54只心衰模型,随机分成3组,移植组为左室前壁注射MSC,对照组注射培养基,心衰组不给予任何干预措施。由彩色超声心动图(TTE)监测左室心功能参数。8周检测完成后取出心脏标本,做冰冻切片脏染色观察病损心肌结构的变化及免疫荧光检查植入MSC心肌肌球蛋白重链(MHC)及心肌特有的连接蛋白(Cx43)表达情况。结果表明植入的MSC存活并表达了MHC及Cx43,其周围宿主心肌细胞肿胀明显减轻。在移植MSC2周后,心功能开始改善,至8周时,心功改善能更明显。由此得出结论：MSC在病损心肌体内不仅能存活、分化为心肌细胞,使病损心肌组织病变减轻。而且可显著改善心衰大鼠的心功能。     

AAV-9病毒转载sfrp1靶向干预wnt信号通路治疗心力衰竭大鼠分子机制研究

摘要 目的：探讨腺病毒9（AAV-9）转载可溶性卷曲相关蛋白1（Sfrp1）靶向干预wnt信号通路治疗心力衰竭大鼠的效果和分子机制。方法：选择45只健康SD雄性大鼠作为研究对象,随机分为对照组、模型组和sfrp1组,各15只。模型组和sfrp1组采用左前降支动脉结扎手术建立慢性心力衰竭大鼠模型后,给予对照组和模型组大鼠经尾静脉注射生理盐水,给予sfrp1组大鼠经尾静脉注射AAV-sfrp1载体。分别在建模成功时和注射AAV-9病毒载体第28 d通过心脏超声评价各组大鼠心功能[左室射血分数（LVEF）、左室收缩期内径（LVIDS）和左室短轴缩短率（LVFS）]。采用酶联免疫吸附法检测腹主动脉血血清中Ⅰ型和Ⅲ型胶原水平。采用TUNEL法检测各组大鼠心肌细胞凋亡情况。采用Western blot技术检测心肌组织细胞中β-catenin、Dvl-1和α-SMA蛋白表达情况。结果：模型组和sfrp1组大鼠建模成功时的LVEF、LVFS均显著低于对照组,LVIDS显著大于对照组。注射AAV-9病毒载体后第28 d时sfrp1组大鼠LVEF和LVFS显著增加并显著大于模型组,LVIDS显著降低并显著低于模型组（P<0.05）。sfrp1组大鼠血清胶原Ⅰ和胶原Ⅲ水平以及心肌细胞凋亡比例均显著高于对照组,但显著低于模型组（P<0.05）。sfrp1组大鼠心肌组织中β-catenin、Dvl-1、α-SMA蛋白相对表达水平显著高于对照组,但显著低于模型组（P<0.05）。结论：AAV-9病毒转载sfrp1能够通过靶向抑制wnt信号通路以及抑制心肌胶原合成,降低心肌细胞凋亡,改善心力衰竭大鼠心脏功能。     

加味真武汤对慢性心衰大鼠心肌结构及炎症因子的影响

目的:观察加味真武汤对慢性心力衰竭大鼠心肌组织结构以及炎症因子水平情况,并探讨其作用机理。方法:雄性SD大鼠48只随机分为空白组、模型组、地高辛组、加味真武汤组。采用盐酸阿霉素腹腔注射的方法建立慢性心力衰竭大鼠模型。各组分别给药治疗后,光镜观察心肌细胞结构并进行病理评分;酶联免疫法测定白介素-1(IL-1)、白介素-6(IL-6)以及血清脑钠肽(BNP)水平情况。结果:模型组大鼠心肌纤维断裂,伴炎性浸润,模型组病理评分显著高于空白组,有统计学差异(P0.05);地高辛组和加味真武汤组病理评分显著低于模型组,有统计学差异(P0.05);加味真武汤组与地高辛组病理评分比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。与模型组相比,加味真武汤组和地高辛组血清IL-6、IL-1、BNP水平明显减低,加味真武汤组效果更显著,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:加味真武汤可能有增加心肌收缩力,抑制炎症因子的释放,减慢心室重构,保护心肌细胞的作用。     

依那普利叶酸片对高血压伴高同型半胱氨酸血症大鼠左室肥厚干预的研究

目的:观察高同型半胱氨酸对高血压大鼠心肌内质网应激相关因子GRP94、caspase12表达的影响,及依那普利叶酸片(简称依叶片)对其表达的干预作用。方法:30只雄性成年自发性高血压大鼠(SHR),随机分为对照组、模型组和依叶片组,每组10只。对照组给予普通颗粒饲料喂养同时给予双蒸水灌胃,模型组给予含3%蛋氨酸的颗粒饲料喂养同时给予双蒸水灌胃,依叶片组给予含3%蛋氨酸的颗粒饲料喂养同时给予依叶片粉剂20 mg/kg/d灌胃。实验第8周末,用颈动脉插管法测各组大鼠平均动脉压(MAP),同型半胱氨酸检测仪检测血清同型半胱氨酸(homocystein,Hcy)浓度,称取体质量、全心质量及左心室质量计算大鼠心肌肥厚指数HWI及LVEI,通过HE染色观察心肌细胞形态学改变,免疫组化检测大鼠心肌组织中GRP94及caspase12表达水平。结果:①大鼠血清Hcy水平的变化。对照组大鼠血清Hcy值在正常值范围。与对照组相比,模型组大鼠血清Hcy值显著增高(P0.01);与模型组相比,依叶片组大鼠血清Hcy值明显降低(P0.01)。②大鼠HWI、LVEI及MAP的变化。模型组大鼠的HWI及LVEI均明显高于对照组(P0.05);依叶片干预后大鼠的HWI及LVEI均明显降低(P0.05)。对照组与模型组大鼠的MAP均明显增高,但两组大鼠的MAP差异无统计学意义(P0.05);与模型组相比,依叶片干预后大鼠的MAP明显降低(P0.01)。③大鼠心肌细胞内质网应激(endoplasmic reticulum stress,ERS)相关因子GRP94及caspase12表达。对照组及模型组大鼠心肌细胞GRP94及caspase12表达均增高。与对照组相比,模型组大鼠心肌细胞GRP94、caspase12表达增高更为明显(P0.05)。依叶片干预后大鼠心肌细胞GRP94、caspase12表达明显降低(P0.05)。结论:高Hcy通过ERS途径使高血压大鼠左室肥厚程度加重;依叶片可有效降低血清Hcy及血压水平,抑制心肌细胞ERS,从而有效逆转左室肥厚,其对左室肥厚干预的分子机制为"H型"高血压的预防及治疗提供了新的理论依据。     

基于PI3K-AKT-mTOR信号通路探讨参附注射液对心力衰竭大鼠的作用及其机制

摘要 目的：基于PI3K-AKT-mTOR信号通路探讨参附注射液对心力衰竭大鼠的作用及其机制。方法：60只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组（n=20）、心力衰竭模型组（n=20）、参附注射液治疗组（n=20），正常对照组不做任何处理，其余两组采取腹主动脉缩窄法构建心力衰竭模型，给予心力衰竭模型组氯化钠溶液，参附注射液治疗组给予参附注射液。比较各组大鼠心脏功能、氧化应激、炎症因子、P13K-Akt-mTOR表达。结果：与正常对照组相比，参附注射液治疗组、心力衰竭模型组左心室舒张末期内径（LVEDD）、左心室收缩末期内径（LVESD）水平依次升高，而左心室射血分数（LVEF）水平依次下降（P<0.05）。与正常对照组相比，参附注射液治疗组、心力衰竭模型组血清丙二醛（MDA）水平依次升高，血清超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）水平依次下降（P<0.05）。与正常对照组相比，参附注射液治疗组、心力衰竭模型组血清白介素6（IL-6）、白介素1β（IL-1β）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）水平依次升高（P<0.05）。与正常对照组相比，参附注射液治疗组、心力衰竭模型组P13K-Akt-mTOR表达依次下降（P<0.05）。结论：参附注射液能够保护心力衰竭大鼠心脏功能，并可减轻氧化应激反应、抑制炎症因子表达，其作用机制可能与激活P13K-Akt-mTOR信号通路有关。     

葛根素对糖尿病心肌细胞的保护及其机制研究

观察葛根素（Puerarin）对链脲佐菌素（streptozotocin,STZ）诱导的糖尿病大鼠心肌细胞的保护作用,并探讨血小板反应素1（Thrombospondin-1,TSP-1）的表达改变及其作用。雄性SD大鼠45只随机分为三组（n=15）：糖尿病组和葛根素治疗组采用一次腹腔注射链脲佐菌素（STZ）65mg／kg制备糖尿病模型,其中葛根素治疗组于造模后葛根素腹腔注射4周（100mg/kg/day）,正常对照组仅腹腔注射等量生理盐水（6ml／kg）,同样喂养4周。四周后各组大鼠处死。H—E染色及透射电子显微镜观察三组大鼠心肌细胞纤维显微结构和超微结构的病理改变．免疫组化和实时荧光定量PCR法观察大鼠心肌细胞中TSP-1蛋白和mRNA表达的变化．同时利用Langendorff离体心脏灌流法测定各组大鼠心室肌细胞功能。结果发现葛根素治疗组较糖尿病组大鼠的体重增加明显,同时血糖下降,有显著性差异（P〈0．01）。H—E染色显示糖尿病大鼠多处心肌肌丝紊乱伴少量炎症细胞浸润,电镜下发现有线粒体嵴消失溶解,肌丝排列紊乱等病理改变,而葛根素治疗组大鼠偶见上述病理变化。免疫组化显示葛根素治疗组心肌内TSP-1阳性细胞密度小于糖尿病大鼠,TSP-1 mRNA表达也比糖尿病大鼠要低。此外葛根素治疗组大鼠的左室收缩末压（LVSEP）、左心室舒张末期压（LVEDP）等心功能指标均明显低于正常组（P〈0．01）,但较糖尿病组有显著改善（P〈0．01）。上述结果显示葛根素能保护糖尿病大鼠心肌细胞的高糖损伤和维持心室肌细胞的功能,而该机制可能与抑制心肌细胞TSP-1表达的水平有关。     

Atrial natriuretic peptide levels during development of chronic heart failure after myocardial infarction in rats

Serum levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) are elevated in chronic heart failure presumably due to dilatation of the left atrium resulting from increases in intracardiac pressures. To define the time course of changes in serum ANP levels and to determine the relationship to left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, rats were subjected to coronary artery ligation to produce myocardial infarction and left ventricular failure. Atrial natriuretic peptide levels were measured weekly for four weeks thereafter. In rats with myocardial infarction and elevation of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure there was no change in ANP levels at 7 and 14 days. However, at day 21 and 28, ANP levels were elevated more than 3 fold. There was a correlation between ANP levels and left ventricular end-diastolic pressures. There was no correlation between ANP levels and right atrial pressures or serum sodium concentrations. We conclude that the chronic elevation of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure is required to produce an increase in ANP after myocardial infarction which results in chronic heart failure.     

E4031对慢性心衰大鼠离体心脏功能和心肌细胞内静息Ca^2＋水平的影响

目的：研究具有钠钙交换（NCX）激动作用的药物E 4031对慢性心衰大鼠离体心脏功能和心肌细胞内静息Ca2＋水平的影响。方法：通过腹主动脉缩窄建立大鼠慢性心力衰竭模型;利用Langendorff装置进行离体心脏灌流,检测大鼠心功能及E 4031对血流动力学指标的影响;急性分离心衰大鼠心肌细胞,与钙荧光指示剂fluo3/AM共同孵育后,用激光共聚焦显微镜系统观察E 4031对心肌细胞内荧光强度的影响。结果：缩窄大鼠腹主动脉12周后,langendorff离体灌流检测显示大鼠心功能明显降低;在灌流液中加入10μmol/L E 4031可以使心衰大鼠心脏左室发展压（LVDP）和左室收缩/舒张最大速率（±dp/dtmax）提高;与正常组和伪手术组相比,心衰大鼠心肌细胞内静息钙荧光强度明显升高,和10μmol/L E 4031共孵育后,心衰大鼠心肌细胞静息钙荧光强度呈现短期先升后降过程,然后在较低的水平保持稳定。结论：E 4031可以增强慢性心衰大鼠离体心功能,可能与其增强心肌细胞膜NCX活动,稳定细胞内Ca2＋水平有关。     

High levels of myocardial antioxidant defense in aging nondiabetic normotensive Zucker obese rats

Chronic renal failure often induces left ventricular hypertrophy. We assessed whether the heart is affected in the Zucker obese rat, a model of chronic renal failure associated with obesity, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance without hypertension or hyperglycemia. After systemic blood pressure measurement, the heart, the aorta, and the kidneys were removed from anesthetized 9- and 13-mo-old Zucker obese and lean control male rats (n = 33, n = 24, n = 25, and n = 21, respectively). Determination of left ventricular geometry, quantification of myocardium collagen density, and measurement of heart antioxidant enzyme activity were made, as well as aorta and kidney parameters. Mean blood pressure remained at a normal range whatever the age and group considered. Whereas kidney structure and function were severely impaired, no sign of myocardial infarction or inflammatory process was noticed. A moderate left ventricular hypertrophy was observed in 13-mo-old obese rats. While heart malondialdehyde was stable with age and among groups, antioxidant enzyme activity was higher in obese rats. In conclusion, in the absence of hypertensive or hyperglycemic disorders, the heat seems to display a sufficient line of defense against oxidative stress during the development of cardiac hypertrophy.     

缬沙坦联合氨氯地平治疗高血压伴左心肥厚的疗效及对心功能的影响

目的:通过探讨缬沙坦联合氨氯地平治疗高血压伴左心肥厚患者的疗效及对心功能的影响,为临床治疗提供依据。方法:选择2010年1月~2014年12月我院收治的高血压伴左心室肥厚患者共120例,按照随机数字表法随机分为观察组和对照组。对照组患者给予氨氯地平,观察组患者缬沙坦联合氨氯地平治疗,治疗6个月后,观察两组患者舒张压(DBP)、收缩压(SBP)、心率(HR)、室间隔厚度(IVST),左室后壁厚度(LVPWT)、左室舒张末期内径(LVDd)和左室重量指数(LVMI)。结果:治疗后,两组患者SBP、DBP和HR均较治疗前显著降低,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);观察组患者SBP、DBP和HR均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者IVST、IVPWT、LVDd和LVMI均较治疗前显著降低,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);观察组患者IVST、IVPWT、LVDd和LVMI均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:缬沙坦联合氨氯地平治疗高血压伴左心肥厚患者,能够降低患者血压、逆转左心室肥厚,改善患者心功能,疗效优于氨氯地平单独治疗,值得临床推广应用。     

Amlodipine decreases fibrosis and cardiac hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats: persistent effects after withdrawal

Our objective was to examine the effect of chronic treatment with amlodipine on blood pressure, left ventricular hypertrophy, and fibrosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats and the persistence of such an effect after drug withdrawal. We investigated the effects of treatment with 2, 8 and 20 mg/kg/day of amlodipine given orally for six months and at three months after drug withdrawal. Systolic blood pressure was measured using the tail-cuff method. At the end of the study period, the heart was excised, the left ventricle was isolated, and the left ventricle weight/body weight ratio was calculated as a left ventricular hypertrophy index. Fibrosis, expressed as collagen volume fraction, was evaluated using an automated image-analysis system on sections stained with Sirius red. Age-matched untreated Wistar-Kyoto and SHR were used as normotensive and hypertensive controls, respectively. Systolic blood pressure was reduced in the treated SHR in a dose-dependent way and after amlodipine withdrawal it increased progressively, without reaching the values of the hypertensive controls. Cardiac hypertrophy was reduced by 8 and 20 mg/kg/day amlodipine, but when treatment was withdrawn only the group treated with 8 mg/kg/day maintained significant differences versus the hypertensive controls. All three doses of amlodipine reduced cardiac fibrosis and this regression persisted with the two highest doses after three months without treatment. We concluded that antihypertensive treatment with amlodipine is accompanied by a reduction in left ventricular hypertrophy and regression in collagen deposition. Treatment was more effective in preventing fibrosis than in preventing ventricular hypertrophy after drug withdrawal.     

土茯苓对肾性高血压大鼠血压的调节作用和机制

目的观察土茯苓对肾性高血压大鼠血压及血液内血管活性物质的调节作用。方法用两肾两夹法造大鼠高血压模型,将造模成功的大鼠按收缩压分层,分成模型对照组、高（土茯苓6g／ks）、中（土茯苓3g／kg）、低（土茯苓1．5g／kg）剂量组和阳性组（卡托普利5mg／kg）;试验期间各组经口灌胃给予相应药物,每日1次,连续4周。每周测定血压1次,末次给药后,测定大鼠血液中ANP、NO、ET、CGRP和AnglI水平。结果土茯苓显著降低了肾性高血压大鼠SBP、DBP和MBP（P＜0．05,P＜0．01）,同时显著降低了ANP、ET的水平（P＜0．05,P＜0．01）,升高了NO的水平（P〈0．05）。结论土茯苓具有一定的降血压作用,其作用途径可能通过降低ANP、ET和升高NO的水平,而发挥血压调节的作用。     

Effects of testosterone on cytokines and left ventricular remodeling following heart failure.

AIMS: To investigate the effects of testosterone treatment on cytokines, ventricular remodeling in rats with heart failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley male rats with heart failure were divided into testosterone (n = 22) and placebo (n = 22) group. Pseudo surgery was performed on a third group of 15 male rats as control. RESULTS: Compared with the placebo group, the testosterone group had a greater LVEF (P <0.05), a higher serum IL-10 level (P <0.05) and a lower serum TNF-alpha level (P<0.05). The expression of TNF-alpha mRNA, MMP-9 mRNA and the myocardial hydroxyproline contents in the testosterone group were also lower than in the placebo group (P<0.05). The mortality rate in the testosterone and placebo group was 31.8% and 68.2%, respectively (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum testosterone levels were decreased significantly in male rats with heart failure. Testosterone treatment diminishes the imbalance between interleukin-10 and TNF-alpha, suppresses ventricular remodeling and improves cardiac function.     

Elevated cardiac tissue level of aldosterone and mineralocorticoid receptor in diastolic heart failure: Beneficial effects of mineralocorticoid receptor blocker

Cardiac aldosterone levels have not been evaluated in diastolic heart failure (DHF), and its roles in this type of heart failure remain unclear. This study aimed to detect cardiac aldosterone by use of a liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric method and to assess the effects of mineralocorticoid receptor blockade on hypertensive DHF. Dahl salt-sensitive rats fed 8% NaCl diet from 7 wk (hypertensive DHF model) were divided at 13 wk into three groups: those treated with subdepressor doses of eplerenone (12.5 or 40 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)) and an untreated group. Dahl salt-sensitive rats fed 0.3% NaCl diet served as controls. Cardiac aldosterone was detected in the DHF rats but not in the control rats, with increased ventricular levels of mineralocorticoid receptor. Cardiac levels of 11-deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, and 11-dehydrocorticosterone were not different between the control and DHF rats, but the tissue level of corticosterone that has an affinity to mineralocorticoid receptor was 1,000 times as high as that of aldosterone. Aldosterone synthase activity and CYP11B2 mRNA were undetectable in the ventricular tissue of the DHF rats. Administration of eplerenone attenuated ventricular hypertrophy, ventricular fibrosis, myocardial stiffening, and relaxation abnormality, leading to the prevention of overt DHF. In summary, the myocardial aldosterone level increased in the DHF rats. However, its value was extremely low compared with corticosterone, and no evidence for enhancement of intrinsic myocardial aldosterone production was found. The upregulation of mineralocorticoid receptor may play a central role in the pathogenesis of DHF, and blockade of mineralocorticoid receptor is likely an effective therapeutic regimen of DHF.     

Cardiovascular effects of the combination of levosimendan and valsartan in hypertensive Dahl/Rapp rats

Hypertension is the main risk factor for left ventricular hypertrophy and development of diastolic heart failure. There is no yet treatment, which can effectively reduce mortality in patients suffering from heart failure with preserved systolic function. We tested whether the calcium sensitizer levosimendan and the AT1-receptor antagonist valsartan could protect from salt-induced hypertension, cardiovascular mortality and heart failure in Dahl/Rapp salt-sensitive rats fed for 7 weeks with a high salt diet (8% NaCl). Levosimendan (1 mg/kg/day via drinking water) and valsartan (30 mg/kg in the food) monotherapies and their combination prevented mortality in Dahl/Rapp rats. The drug combination evoked an additive effect on blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy, cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area, target organ damage and myocardial ANP mRNA expression. There was a close correlation between systolic blood pressure and cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac and renal damage. As compared to Dahl/Rapp controls kept on low-salt diet (NaCl 0.3%). The high salt rats exhibited impaired diastolic relaxation as assessed by isovolumic relaxation time. Levosimendan alone and in combination with valsartan, improved diastolic relaxation without significantly improving systolic function. Our findings are evidence for an additive effect between levosimendan and valsartan on blood pressure and a blood pressure-dependent protection against the development of salt-induced target organ damage. The present study also demonstrates that levosimendan, alone or in combination with valsartan, can correct diastolic dysfunction induced by salt-dependent hypertension.     

Chronic all-trans retinoic acid treatment prevents medial thickening of intramyocardial and intrarenal arteries in spontaneously hypertensive rats

There are in vitro data linking all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) with inhibition of hypertrophy and hyperplasia in cardiomyocytes, vascular smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that chronic treatment with atRA may blunt the process of myocardial remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Four-week-old male SHR were treated with atRA (5 or 10 mg.kg-1.day-1) given daily for 3 mo by gavage; age- and sex-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and placebo-treated SHR served as controls. At the end of the treatment period, cardiac geometry and function were assessed by Doppler echocardiography. Histological examination and RIA were performed to evaluate medial thickening of intramyocardial and renal arteries, perivascular and interstitial collagen content, and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and IGF-I in the heart, respectively. The novel finding of the present study is that atRA prevented hypertrophy of intramyocardial and intrarenal arteries and ventricular fibrosis. However, atRA treatment did not lower blood pressure or left ventricular weight and left ventricular weight-to-body weight ratio in SHR. atRA did not change cardiac geometry and function as assessed by Doppler echocardiography. atRA showed no influence on either ANP or IGF-I levels. In conclusion, the present study suggests that chronic atRA treatment prevents medial thickening of intramyocardial and intrarenal arteries and ventricular fibrosis during the development of hypertension. Left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiac geometry and function are not changed by atRA treatment.