大鼠不同心肌肥厚模型左心室基因表达谱变化的比较

为了解心肌肥厚时基因表达谱的变化规律,本实验复制了三种大鼠心肌肥厚模型：肾上腹主动脉缩窄(suprarenal abdominal aortic stenosis,SRS)、动静脉瘘(arterial-vein fistula,AVF)和去甲。肾上腺素持续静脉输注(jugular vein infusion of norepinephrine,NEi),并应用组织化学方法和超声心动术检测大鼠心脏结构和功能指标,应用cDNA基因芯片技术检测心脏基因表达水平的变化。SRS和NEi引起大鼠向心性心肌肥厚,AVF引起大鼠离心性心肌肥厚,其中NEi大鼠心肌纤维化明显。对不同心肌肥厚模型间大鼠左心室基因表达谱的变化进行两两比较。结果显示,有部分基因在不同模型中表达水平均发生变化,其中多数基因在两种模型中表达水平改变的方向相同,也有少部分基因在两种模型中表达水平改变方向相反。综合比较三种心肌肥厚模型的基因表达谱,各种模型都有特异的基因表达变化,但是有19个基因在三种心肌肥厚模型中表达水平均发生改变。研究结果有可能成为心肌肥厚的标志性基因或治疗靶点,为心肌肥厚发生机制的深入研究提供了新的线索。     

低氧促进大鼠心脏成纤维细胞DNA合成及Ⅰ、Ⅲ胶原mRNA表达

目的:研究低氧(2%氧)对成年Wistar大鼠心脏成纤维细胞DNA合成及Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原前a肽链表达的影响.方法:分离培养成年Wistar大鼠心脏成纤维细胞,采用液体闪烁计数方法检测心脏成纤维细胞的DNA合成速率,采用原位杂交技术检测Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原前α肽链mRNA的表达.结果:成年Wistar大鼠心脏成纤维细胞在低氧第6h、12 h时3H-TdR掺入量较常氧组显著增加,分别增加34%(P＜0.05)和36%(P＜0.01);低氧第4 h、8 h、12 h Ⅰ型胶原前α肽链mRNA表达显著高于常氧培养的细胞;低氧第2 h,Ⅲ型胶原前α肽链mRNA表达显著高于常氧培养的细胞.结论:低氧能够直接促进体外培养的成年Wistar大鼠心脏成纤维细胞DNA合成和Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原前α肽链表达,提示低氧对心脏成纤维细胞生长和胶原表达的直接调节可能是低氧性心肌纤维化的重要机制.     

大鼠心肌肥厚时左心室心房钠尿肽基因的转录

本工作运用ANF放射免疫测定和ANF核酸分子杂交的方法,测定了大鼠腹主动脉部分结扎引起心肌肥厚时血浆ANF及左心室ANF mRNA水平的变化。结果表明,心肌肥厚大鼠的血浆ANF及左心室ANF mRNA水平都明显升高,提示大鼠心肌肥厚可以促进其左心室ANF基因的转录和表达。此外,本工作还证明细胞内钙离子调节剂牛磺酸和血管松弛剂肼苯哒嗪可以分别促进和抑制大鼠心肌肥厚诱导的左心室ANF基因的转录和表达。     

CyPA-CD147-ERK1/2-cyclinD2信号通路在大鼠左心室肥厚过程中表达上调(英文)

亲环素A(cyclophilin A,Cy PA),其受体CD147及其下游信号通路在心肌肥厚过程中变化情况不清楚。本实验目的是研究血清Cy PA、心肌中Cy PA、CD147及其信号通路与心肌肥厚的关系。大鼠左心室肥厚模型用2肾2夹(2-kidney,2-clip,2K2C)方法制备,并观察1周,4周和8周。用左心质量和体重比值(ratio of left ventricular heart weight to body weight,LVW/BW)及心肌横切面面积(cross sectional area,CSA)评价左心室肥厚。用ELISA检测血清中Cy PA水平。用蛋白免疫印迹和免疫组化观察Cy PA、CD147、磷酸化ERK1/2和cyclin D2在心肌组织中表达水平。在第4周和8周,与对照组比较,2K2C组大鼠血压明显增高,LVW/BW和CSA显著增加。ELISA结果显示2K2C组大鼠血清中Cy PA水平随着左心室肥厚程度加剧而明显增加。蛋白免疫印迹和免疫组化结果表明,Cy PA、CD147、磷酸化ERK1/2和cyclin D2在2K2C组大鼠心肌组织中表达水平也随左心室肥厚发展而增加。本研究表明血清中Cy PA水平以及心肌组织中Cy PA-CD147-ERK1/2-cyclin D2信号通路在心肌肥厚发展过程中被激活并表达上调,提示该信号通路在左心室肥厚发病机制中可能发挥了作用。     

法舒地尔对异丙肾上腺素诱导大鼠心肌肥厚的干预作用及其机制

目的：研究法舒地尔对异丙肾上腺素诱导大鼠心肌肥厚的影响及其机制。方法：除正常对照组外,其它SD大鼠均皮下注射异丙肾上腺素（Iso,5 mg/kg）建立心肌肥厚模型。大鼠随机分为4组：正常对照组、Iso模型组、法舒地尔低剂量组（Fas,5 mg/kg,i.p）和法舒地尔高剂量组（Fas,20 mg/kg,i.p）,连续给药8周。给药结束后,血流动力学检测大鼠心率（HR）、左心室收缩压（LVSP）、左心室末舒张压（LVEDP）和左室压力变化最大速率（±dp/dt_max）;分别测定大鼠体重（BW）,心脏重量（HW）,并计算HW/BW;大鼠心肌HE、Masson染色观察组织病理学改变;免疫组化法观察大鼠心肌组织ERK1、ERK2蛋白表达,RT-PCR观察ERK1、ERK2 mRNA的表达。结果：Iso模型组HR和LVEDP明显升高,LVSP和±dp/dt_max明显下降;HW/BW增大;心肌细胞体积变大,排列紊乱,胶原纤维增生;左心室组织ERK1、ERK2蛋白与mRNA表达上调。法舒地尔不同剂量干预后,心脏收缩和舒张能力得到改善,心指数明显下降,心肌细胞体积变小,纤维化减少,ERK1/2 mRNA表达下调,心肌组织损害均得到不同程度改善。结论：ERK1/2信号通路活化参与了异丙肾上腺素诱导的心肌肥厚,法舒地尔对异丙肾上腺素诱导的心肌肥厚具有明显改善作用,这可能与法舒地尔阻断ERK1、ERK2通路活化有关。     

NPR-A在压力超负荷性大鼠心肌重构过程中的表达变化

目的观察在A型利钠肽受体(NPR-A)表达压力超负荷性大鼠心肌重构过程中的变化,探讨其在高血压心肌重构过程中的可能作用。方法 40只清洁级SD大鼠随机分为对照组(20只)及模型组(20只),模型组采用"两肾一夹法"构建肾性高血压大鼠模型,术后每周测尾动脉收缩压(SBP),于术后4、8周后处死大鼠。计算左心室重量指数(LVMI),采用HE、天狼星红染色观察左心室病理形态学变化,采用ELLSA法测定血浆脑钠肽(BNP),免疫组化测定左心室NPR-A蛋白表达水平。比较两组SBP、LVMI、心肌细胞直径(MD)、心肌组织胶原容积分数(CVF)、BNP及NPR-A蛋白表达水平。结果模型组大鼠术后4、8周后SBP、LVMI、MD、CVF均明显高于对照组(均P0.05);模型组大鼠术后4周血浆BNP、左心室NPR-A表达水平均明显升高(P0.05),术后8周血浆BNP明显升高(P0.05),左心室NPR-A水平明显下降(P0.05)。与模型组术后4周相比,模型组大鼠术后8周尾动脉SBP无明显变化(P0.05),但LVMI、MD、CVF均显著升高,血浆BNP水平显著升高,左心室NPR-A表达显著下降,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。结论压力超负荷性大鼠左心室NPR-A的表达呈动态变化趋势,可能参与高血压心肌重构发生发展的过程。     

GATA结合蛋白4在心脏发育及心肌重塑中的作用

转录因子GATA结合蛋白4(GATA-binding protein 4, GATA-4)在心脏发育和心肌重塑过程中发挥重要的调控作用.GATA-4基因缺失可致胚胎死亡,而不同位点的错义突变将引起不同类型的先天性心脏发育畸形.GATA-4蛋白表达水平降低可导致心脏功能进行性下降.压力超负荷、缺氧、交感神经激活等各种心肌肥厚刺激因素均可显著影响GATA-4的DNA结合活性,进而通过调控心房利钠肽(ANP)、脑利钠肽(BNP)、B细胞淋巴瘤因子2(Bcl-2)、心肌锚定重复序列蛋白(CARP)等多种心肌重塑相关转录因子的表达参与心肌重塑过程.深入探讨GATA-4的转录调控机制,有望为心血管疾病的防治提供新的线索.本文扼要综述GATA-4在心脏发育及心肌重塑中的研究现状.     

心肌细胞过表达miR-27b导致小鼠发生心肌纤维化和线粒体损伤

以往的miRNA芯片研究结果显示, miR-27b在人类心脏疾病标本和压力负荷引起的小鼠心肌肥厚模型中表达水平明显升高, 提示其在心脏疾病发生过程中发挥了重要功能。为研究miR-27b在心脏组织中的功能, 文章建立了在心肌细胞特异性 a-肌球蛋白重链(a-MHC)启动子(5.5 kb)控制下过表达miR-27b的转基因小鼠。通过Real-time PCR检测, 发现miR-27b前体和成熟体表达水平在转基因小鼠心脏组织中明显升高。miR-27b转基因小鼠不仅出现心肌肥厚, 还表现出明显的心肌纤维化。进一步研究表明心肌纤维化的关键调节分子金属基质蛋白酶13(MMP13)是miR-27b的靶分子, 在miR-27b转基因小鼠中MMP13显著下调, 胶原分子I和 III则显著上调。此外, 还发现miR-27b转基因小鼠会出现心脏超微结构的损伤。以上研究结果表明, miR-27b可能通过抑制MMP13促进心肌纤维化。     

PI3K和Akt蛋白在异丙肾上腺素所致大鼠心肌肥厚中的表达

目的研究异丙肾上腺素(ISO)致大鼠心肌肥厚中PI3K和Akt在心肌组织中的表达,为探讨心肌肥厚的信号转导机制和逆转心肌肥厚提供形态学资料.方法健康成年SD大鼠20只,随机分为实验组、对照组,每组10只.实验组给予异丙肾上腺素处理.1周后处死大鼠,取心肌组织,常规石蜡切片,HE染色,观察心肌组织的病理变化,测量心肌肥厚指标;免疫组织化学染色和免疫荧光染色,检测p-PI3K和p-Akt的表达及分布.结果实验组大鼠心肌肥厚指标与对照组相比均明显升高;免疫组织化学检测显示,实验组心肌组织p-PI3K和p-Akt蛋白表达面积和平均光密度较对照组高.免疫荧光检测实验组心肌组织p-PI3K和p-Akt蛋白表达较对照组高.结论小剂量持续给予 ISO 能建立大鼠心肌肥厚模型;p-PI3K和p-Akt蛋白表达均与心肌肥厚的发生和发展过程相关,PI3K/Akt信号通路激活,可能是导致心肌肥厚的机制之一.     

心肌细胞过表达miR-27b导致小鼠发生心肌纤维化和线粒体损伤

以往的miRNA芯片研究结果显示, miR-27b在人类心脏疾病标本和压力负荷引起的小鼠心肌肥厚模型中表达水平明显升高, 提示其在心脏疾病发生过程中发挥了重要功能。为研究miR-27b在心脏组织中的功能, 文章建立了在心肌细胞特异性 a-肌球蛋白重链(a-MHC)启动子(5.5 kb)控制下过表达miR-27b的转基因小鼠。通过Real-time PCR检测, 发现miR-27b前体和成熟体表达水平在转基因小鼠心脏组织中明显升高。miR-27b转基因小鼠不仅出现心肌肥厚, 还表现出明显的心肌纤维化。进一步研究表明心肌纤维化的关键调节分子金属基质蛋白酶13(MMP13)是miR-27b的靶分子, 在miR-27b转基因小鼠中MMP13显著下调, 胶原分子I和 III则显著上调。此外, 还发现miR-27b转基因小鼠会出现心脏超微结构的损伤。以上研究结果表明, miR-27b可能通过抑制MMP13促进心肌纤维化。     

Zerumbone prevents pressure overload-induced left ventricular systolic dysfunction by inhibiting cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis

BackgroundCardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis are hallmarks of cardiac remodeling and are involved functionally in the development of heart failure (HF). However, it is unknown whether Zerumbone (Zer) prevents left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction by inhibiting cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis.PurposeThis study investigated the effect of Zer on cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in vitro and in vivo.Study Design/methodsIn primary cultured cardiac cells from neonatal rats, the effect of Zer on phenylephrine (PE)-induced hypertrophic responses and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)-induced fibrotic responses was observed. To determine whether Zer prevents the development of pressure overload-induced HF in vivo, a transverse aortic constriction (TAC) mouse model was utilized. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography. The changes of cardiomyocyte surface area were observed using immunofluorescence staining and histological analysis (HE and WGA staining). Collagen synthesis and fibrosis formation were measured by scintillation counter and picrosirius staining, respectively. The total mRNA levels of genes associated with hypertrophy (ANF and BNP) and fibrosis (Postn and α-SMA) were measured by qRT-PCR. The protein expressions (Akt and α-SMA) were assessed by western blotting.ResultsZer significantly suppressed PE-induced increase in cell size, mRNA levels of ANF and BNP, and Akt phosphorylation in cardiomyocytes. The TGF-β-induced increase in proline incorporation, mRNA levels of Postn and α-SMA, and protein expression of α-SMA were decreased by Zer in cultured cardiac fibroblasts. In the TAC male C57BL/6 mice, echocardiography results demonstrated that Zer improved cardiac function by increasing LV fractional shortening and reducing LV wall thickness compared with the vehicle group. ZER significantly reduced the level of phosphorylated Akt both in cultured cardiomyocytes treated with PE and in the hearts of TAC. Finally, Zer inhibited the pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac fibrosis.ConclusionZer ameliorates pressure overload-induced LV dysfunction, at least in part by suppressing both cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis.     

Cardiac remodeling associated with protein increase and lipid accumulation in early-stage chronic kidney disease in rats

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Cardiac remodeling including myocardial fibrosis and hypertrophy is frequently observed in CKD patients. In this study, we investigate the mechanism involved in cardiac hypertrophy associated with CKD using a rat model, by morphological and chemical component changes of the hypertrophic and non-hypertrophic hearts. Sprague–Dawley rats were 4/5 nephrectomized (Nx) at 11 weeks of age and assigned to no treatment and treatment with AST-120, which was reported to affect the cardiac damage, at 18 weeks of age. At 26 weeks of age, the rats were euthanized under anesthesia, and biochemical tests as well as analysis of cardiac condition were performed by histological and spectrophotometric methods. Cardiac hypertrophy and CKD were observed in 4/5 Nx rats even though vascular calcification and myocardial fibrosis were not detected. The increasing myocardial protein was confirmed in hypertrophic hearts by infrared spectroscopy. The absorption of amide I and other protein bands in hypertrophic hearts increased at the same position as in normal cardiac absorption. Infrared spectra also showed that lipid accumulation was also detected in hypertrophic heart. Conversely, the absorptions of protein were obviously reduced in the myocardium of non-hypertrophic heart with CKD compared to that of hypertrophic heart. The lipid associated absorption was also decreased in non-hypertrophic heart. Our results suggest that cardiac remodeling associated with relatively early-stage CKD may be suppressed by reducing increased myocardial protein and ameliorating cardiac lipid load.     

β-AR blockers suppresses ER stress in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure

BACKGROUND: Long-term β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) blockade reduces mortality in patients with heart failure. Chronic sympathetic hyperactivity in heart failure causes sustained β-AR activation, and this can deplete Ca(2+) in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) leading to ER stress and subsequent apoptosis. We tested the effect of β-AR blockers on ER stress pathway in experimental model of heart failure. METHODS AND DISCUSSIONS: ER chaperones were markedly increased in failing hearts of patients with end-stage heart failure. In Sprague-Dawley rats, cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure was induced by abdominal aortic constriction or isoproterenol subcutaneous injection. Oral β-AR blockers treatment was performed in therapy groups. Cardiac remodeling and left ventricular function were analyzed in rats failing hearts. After 4 or 8 weeks of banding, rats developed cardiac hypertrophy and failure. Cardiac expression of ER chaperones was significantly increased. Similar to the findings above, sustained isoproterenol infusion for 2 weeks induced cardiac hypertrophy and failure with increased ER chaperones and apoptosis in hearts. β-AR blockers treatment markedly attenuated these pathological changes and reduced ER stress and apoptosis in failing hearts. On the other hand, β-AR agonist isoproterenol induced ER stress and apoptosis in cultured cardiomyocytes. β-AR blockers largely prevented ER stress and protected myocytes against apoptosis. And β-AR blockade significantly suppressed the overactivation of CaMKII in isoproterenol-stimulated cardiomyocytes and failing hearts in rats. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that ER stress occurred in failing hearts and this could be reversed by β-AR blockade. Alleviation of ER stress may be an important mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of β-AR blockers on heart failure.     

Adenylyl cyclase activity and function are decreased in rat cardiac fibroblasts after myocardial infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) results in left ventricular remodeling (e.g., ventricular hypertrophy, dilatation, and fibrosis). Fibrosis contributes to increased myocardial stiffening, impaired ventricular filling and function, and reduced cardiac output. Adenylyl cyclase (AC) expression and activity are reduced in animal models of heart failure. Stimulation of AC can inhibit extracellular matrix production in isolated cardiac fibroblasts; however, a role for reduced AC expression and activity in fibrosis associated with cardiac remodeling after chronic MI has never been determined. We tested the hypothesis that AC expression and activity are reduced in cardiac fibroblasts after chronic (18 wk) MI. Rats underwent coronary artery ligation or sham surgery (control), and echocardiography was used to assess left ventricular remodeling 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, and 18 wk after surgery. Cardiac fibroblasts were isolated from the noninfarcted myocardium and compared for differences in AC activity and collagen synthesis. End-diastolic dimension was increased [control: 0.76 +/- 0.02 cm and MI: 1.0 +/- 0.02 cm (means +/- SE), P < 0.001] and fractional shortening was decreased (control: 44 +/- 2% and MI: 17 +/- 2%, P < 0.001) in MI compared with control rats. Basal and forskolin-stimulated cAMP production were decreased by 90% and 93%, respectively, and AC5/6 expression was decreased 39% in fibroblasts isolated from MI rats compared with sham controls. Serum-stimulated collagen production was increased twofold and forskolin-mediated inhibition of collagen synthesis was reduced in fibroblasts from MI rats compared with controls. Our data demonstrate that AC expression and activity are reduced and collagen production is increased in cardiac fibroblasts of rats after MI.     

Ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase plays a protective role in ��-adrenergic receptor-stimulated cardiac myocyte apoptosis and myocardial remodeling

β-Adrenergic receptor (β-AR) stimulation induces cardiac myocyte apoptosis and plays an important role in myocardial remodeling. Here we investigated expression of various apoptosis-related genes affected by β-AR stimulation, and examined first time the role of ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase (ATM) in cardiac myocyte apoptosis and myocardial remodeling following β-AR stimulation. cDNA array analysis of 96 apoptosis-related genes indicated that β-AR stimulation increases expression of ATM in the heart. In vitro, RT-PCR confirmed increased ATM expression in adult cardiac myocytes in response to β-AR stimulation. Analysis of left ventricular structural and functional remodeling of the heart in wild-type (WT) and ATM heterozygous knockout mice (hKO) 28 days after ISO-infusion showed increased heart weight to body weight ratio in both groups. M-mode echocardiography showed increased percent fractional shortening (%FS) and ejection fraction (EF%) in both groups 28 days post ISO-infusion. Interestingly, the increase in %FS and EF% was significantly lower in the hKO-ISO group. Cardiac fibrosis and myocyte apoptosis were higher in hKO mice at baseline and ISO-infusion increased fibrosis and apoptosis to a greater extent in hKO-ISO hearts. ISO-infusion increased phosphorylation of p53 (Serine-15) and expression of p53 and Bax to a similar extent in both groups. hKO-Sham and hKO-ISO hearts exhibited reduced intact β1 integrin levels. MMP-2 protein levels were significantly higher, while TIMP-2 protein levels were lower in hKO-ISO hearts. MMP-9 protein levels were increased in WT-ISO, not in hKO hearts. In conclusion, ATM plays a protective role in cardiac remodeling in response to β-AR stimulation.     

Chronic administration of hexarelin attenuates cardiac fibrosis in the spontaneously hypertensive rat

Cardiac fibrosis is a hallmark of heart disease and plays a vital role in cardiac remodeling during heart diseases, including hypertensive heart disease. Hexarelin is one of a series of synthetic growth hormone secretagogues (GHSs) possessing a variety of cardiovascular effects via action on GHS receptors (GHS-Rs). However, the role of hexarelin in cardiac fibrosis in vivo has not yet been investigated. In the present study, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were treated with hexarelin alone or in combination with a GHS-R antagonist for 5 wk from an age of 16 wk. Hexarelin treatment significantly reduced cardiac fibrosis in SHRs by decreasing interstitial and perivascular myocardial collagen deposition and myocardial hydroxyproline content and reducing mRNA and protein expression of collagen I and III in SHR hearts. Hexarelin treatment also increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 activities and decreased myocardial mRNA expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 in SHRs. In addition, hexarelin treatment significantly attenuated left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, LV diastolic dysfunction, and high blood pressure in SHRs. The effect of hexarelin on cardiac fibrosis, blood pressure, and cardiac function was mediated by its receptor, GHS-R, since a selective GHS-R antagonist abolished these effects and expression of GHS-Rs was upregulated by hexarelin treatment. In summary, our data demonstrate that hexarelin reduces cardiac fibrosis in SHRs, perhaps by decreasing collagen synthesis and accelerating collagen degradation via regulation of MMPs/TIMP. Hexarelin-reduced systolic blood pressure may also contribute to this reduced cardiac fibrosis in SHRs. The present findings provided novel insights and underscore the therapeutic potential of hexarelin as an antifibrotic agent for the treatment of cardiac fibrosis.     

TRIM72 contributes to cardiac fibrosis via regulating STAT3/Notch-1 signaling

Cardiac fibrosis is a pathophysiological process characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. We developed a cardiac hypertrophy model using transverse aortic constriction (TAC) to uncover mechanisms relevant to excessive deposition of extracellular matrix in mouse myocardial cells. TAC caused upregulation of Tripartite motif protein 72 (TRIM72), a tripartite motif-containing protein that is critical for proliferation and migration. Importantly, in vivo silencing of TRIM72 reversed TAC-induced cardiac fibrosis, as indicated by markedly increased left ventricular systolic pressure and decreased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. TRIM72 knockdown also attenuated deposition of fibrosis marker collagen type I and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). In an in vitro study, TRIM72 was similarly upregulated in cardiac fibroblasts. Knockdown of TRIM72 markedly suppressed collagen type I and α-SMA expression and significantly decreased the proliferation and migration of cardiac fibroblasts. However, TRIM72 overexpression markedly increased collagen type I and α-SMA expression and increased the proliferation and migration of cardiac fibroblasts. Further study demonstrated that TRIM72 increased phosphorylated STAT3 in cardiac fibroblasts. TRIM72 knockdown in cardiac fibroblasts resulted in increased expression of Notch ligand Jagged-1 and its downstream gene and Notch-1 intracellular domain. Inhibition of Notch-1 abrogated sh-TRIM72-induced cardiac fibrosis. Together, our results support a novel role for TRIM72 in maintaining fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition and suppressing fibroblast growth by regulating the STAT3/Notch-1 pathway.     

Thyroid hormone induces myocardial matrix degradation by activating matrix metalloproteinase-1.

Hyperthyroid patients develop left ventricular hypertrophy associated with alterations of several cardiac parameters such as heart rate, cardiac output, cardiac contraction and hemodynamic overload leading to cardiac complications. Although cardiac hypertrophy and contractile abnormality occur, interstitial fibrosis in the heart usually does not take place in hyperthyroid condition. Therefore, in the present study, the mechanism regulating myocardial extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in hyperthyroid condition was investigated. Cardiac hypertrophy was developed in Sprague-Dawley rats by administration of 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (triiodothyronine, 8 microg/100g BW, ip, SID) and glucocorticosteroid, dexamethasone (DEX, 35 microg/100g BW, po, SID), which is also an inducer of hypertrophy for 15 days. Heart/Body weight ratio and atrial and brain natriuretic peptide mRNAs were significantly increased in both triiodothyronine- and DEX-treated rats compared to control. Collagens-I and -III deposition in the left ventricular sections was reduced in triiodothyronine-treated rats, whereas in DEX-treated animals those were increased compared to control. While mRNA and protein levels of procollagens-I and -III were increased with triiodothyronine (p<0.01), the levels of mature collagens-I and -III were decreased. The levels of the mature collagens were increased with DEX compared to control. MMP-1 activity in the serum and left ventricle was higher with reduced levels of TIMPs-3 and -4 in the left ventricle of triiodothyronine-treated rats. The results suggest that accelerated breakdown of collagens-I and -III by MMP-1 due to suppression of the endogenous TIMPs plays an important role in regulating the ECM in myocardium of hyperthyroid rat.