Resveratrol protects left ventricle by increasing adenylate kinase and isocitrate dehydrogenase activities in rats with myocardial infarction

Our prior study had shown that resveratrol was a potent cardioprotective agent in rats with myocardial infarction (MI). In this study, we further evaluated the mechanism of cardioprotection of resveratrol by proteomic analysis. After permanent ligation of the left anterior descending artery under isoflurane anesthesia, surviving rats were randomly allocated to three groups and treated with resveratrol at 1 mg/kg/day (MI/R group), or vehicles (sham group and MI group) once daily for four weeks. In proteomic analysis, the MI group showed decreased expression of adenylate kinase 1 (AK1) and mitochondrial NADP?-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDPm) after MI compared with the sham group. These variations were reversed by resveratrol in the MI/R group. Validation with Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses showed similar trends in protein expression profiling. Our studies suggest that the beneficial effects of resveratrol on ventricular modeling may be due to increased expression of AK1 and IDPm, which have been known to increase myocardial energetic efficiency and reduce reactive oxygen species-mediated damage, respectively.     

Inhibition of NF-{kappa}B improves left ventricular remodeling and cardiac dysfunction after myocardial infarction

Several studies have demonstrated that NF-kappaB is substantially involved in the progression of cardiac remodeling; however, it remains uncertain whether the continuous inhibition of NF-kappaB is effective for the prevention of myocardial remodeling. Myocardial infarction (MI) was produced by ligation of the left anterior coronary artery of rats. IMD-0354 (10 mg/kg per day), a novel phosphorylation inhibitor of IkappaB that acts via inhibition of IKK-beta, was injected intraperitoneally starting 24 h after induction of MI for 28 days. After 28 days, the IMD-0354-treated group showed significantly improved survival rate compared with that of the vehicle-treated group (P < 0.05). Although infarct size was similar in both groups, improved left ventricular (LV) remodeling and diastolic dysfunction, as indicated by smaller LV cavity (LV end-diastolic area: vehicle, 74.13 +/- 3.57 mm(2); IMD-0354, 55.00 +/- 3.73 mm(2); P < 0.05), smaller peak velocity of early-to-late filling wave (E/A) ratio (vehicle, 3.87 +/- 0.26; IMD-0354, 2.61 +/- 0.24; P < 0.05), and lower plasma brain natriuretic peptide level (vehicle, 167.63 +/- 14.87 pg/ml; IMD-0354, 110.75 +/- 6.41 pg/ml; P < 0.05), were observed in the IMD-0354-treated group. Moreover, fibrosis, accumulation of macrophages, and expression of several factors (transforming growth factor-beta1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, matrix metalloproteinase-9 and -2) in the noninfarcted myocardium was remarkably inhibited by IMD-0354. In conclusion, inhibition of NF-kappaB activation may reduce the proinflammatory reactions and modulate the extracellular matrix and provide an effective approach to prevent adverse cardiac remodeling after MI.     

Heart rate reduction by zatebradine reduces infarct size and mortality but promotes remodeling in rats with experimental myocardial infarction

The importance of heart rate for left ventricular remodeling and prognosis after myocardial infarction is not known. We examined the contribution of heart rate reduction by zatebradine, a direct sinus node inhibitor without negative inotropic effects on left ventricular function and dilatation, on mortality, energy metabolism, and neurohormonal changes in rats with experimental myocardial infarction (MI). Thirty minutes after left coronary artery ligation or sham operation, the rats were randomized to receive either placebo or zatebradine (100 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1) per gavage) continued for 8 wk. Mortality during 8 wk was 33.3% in the placebo and 23.0% in the zatebradine group (P < 0.05); MI size was 36 +/- 2% and 30 +/- 1% (means +/- SE, P < 0.05), respectively. Zatebradine improved stroke volume index in all treated rats but increased left ventricular volume in rats with small MI (2.43 +/- 0.10 vs. 1.81 +/- 0.10 ml/kg, P < 0.05) but not in rats with large MI (2.34 +/- 0.09 vs. 2.35 +/- 0.11 ml/kg, not significant). Zatebradine reduced left and right ventricular norepinephrine and increased left and right ventricular 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl ethylene glycol-to-norepinephrine ratio suggesting aggravation of cardiac sympathetic activation by zatebradine after MI. Creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in rats with MI remained unchanged by zatebradine. Lowering heart rate per se reduces mortality and MI size in this model but induces adverse effects on left ventricular remodeling in rats with small MI.     

Ghrelin对心肌梗死大鼠恶性心律失常和早期左室重构的影响(英文)

目的:本文主要研究ghrelin对心肌梗死大鼠恶性心律失常和早期左室重构的影响。方法:心肌梗死大鼠模型每天两次注射ghrelin(100μg/kg)或生理盐水。通过超声心动图评估大鼠的心脏重量并且观察大鼠的血流动力学。使用酶免疫分析法测定血清胰岛素生长因子I(IGF-1)、血浆肾上腺素、去甲肾上腺素和多巴胺的浓度。注射药物前后分析大鼠的神经功能。结果:与对照组相比,ghrelin治疗的心肌梗死模型大鼠生存率显著增加(P0.05),心脏功能增强,但心肌梗死面积差异不大(P0.05)。结论:Ghrelin能够提高心肌梗死模型大鼠的生存率、缓解心肌梗死大鼠心率失常、改善心肌梗死大鼠左心室重构。     

Protective effect of resveratrol against doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity and fibrosis in male experimental rats

The possible effectiveness of resveratrol, a polyphenol present in different plants comprising berries, grapes and peanuts, on the prevention of doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity and fibrosis was investigated. Forty adult male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. Group I received normal saline, group II gavaged with resveratrol (20 mg/kg, daily for 4 weeks), group III received doxorubicin (2.5 mg/kg i.p. in six injections for 2 weeks; accumulative dose of 15 mg/kg), and group IV received doxorubicin?+?resveratrol (starting resveratrol intake 2 weeks before doxorubicin administration). Resveratrol significantly alleviated the increase in left ventricular lipid peroxidation, hydroxyproline, and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels as well as serum creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) activity and prevented the decrease in body and heart weights in doxorubicin-treated group. However, a marked protection against reduced glutathione content depletion and superoxide dismutase activity reduction was observed in the left ventricles of rats pretreated with resveratrol in combination with doxorubicin. Resveratrol also ameliorated the up-regulation of left ventricular caspase-3 and transforming growth factor-beta1 gene expression as well as left ventricular histopathological changes including necrosis and fibrosis induced by doxorubicin. Collectively, our results suggest that resveratrol provides a significant protection against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and fibrosis in rats. Therefore, it may be used as a promising cardioprotective agent in patients treated with doxorubicin due to malignant diseases. So, further clinical trials are required to confirm these findings.     

A small nonerythropoietic helix B surface peptide based upon erythropoietin structure is cardioprotective against ischemic myocardial damage

Strong cardioprotective properties of erythropoietin (EPO) reported over the last 10 years have been difficult to translate to clinical applications for ischemic cardioprotection owing to undesirable parallel activation of erythropoiesis and thrombogenesis. A pyroglutamate helix B surface peptide (pHBP), recently engineered to include only a part of the EPO molecule that does not bind to EPO receptor and thus, is not erythropoietic, retains tissue protective properties of EPO. Here we compared the ability of pHBP and EPO to protect cardiac myocytes from oxidative stress in vitro and cardiac tissue from ischemic damage in vivo. HBP, similar to EPO, increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) threshold for induction of the mitochondrial permeability transition by 40%. In an experimental model of myocardial infarction induced by permanent ligation of a coronary artery in rats, a single bolus injection of 60 μg/kg of pHBP immediately after coronary ligation, similar to EPO, reduced apoptosis in the myocardial area at risk, examined 24 h later, by 80% and inflammation by 34%. Myocardial infarction (MI) measured 24 h after coronary ligation was similarly reduced by 50% in both pHBP- and EPO-treated rats. Two wks after surgery, left ventricular remodeling (ventricular dilation) and functional decline (fall in ejection fraction) assessed by echocardiography were significantly and similarly attenuated in pHBP- and EPO-treated rats, and MI size was reduced by 25%. The effect was retained during the 6-wk follow-up. A single bolus injection of pHBP immediately after coronary ligation was effective in reduction of MI size in a dose as low as 1 μg/kg, but was ineffective at a 60 μg/kg dose if administered 24 h after MI induction. We conclude that pHBP is equally cardioprotective with EPO and deserves further consideration as a safer alternative to rhEPO in the search for therapeutic options to reduce myocardial damage following blockade of the coronary circulation.     

Metformin improves cardiac function in a nondiabetic rat model of post-MI heart failure

Metformin is the first choice drug for the treatment of patients with diabetes, but its use is debated in patients with advanced cardiorenal disease. Epidemiological data suggest that metformin may reduce cardiac events, in patients both with and without heart failure. Experimental evidence suggests that metformin reduces cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury. It is unknown whether metformin improves cardiac function (remodeling) in a long-term post-MI remodeling model. We therefore studied male, nondiabetic, Sprague-Dawley rats that were subjected to either myocardial infarction (MI) or sham operation. Animals were randomly allocated to treatment with normal water or metformin-containing water (250 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1)). At baseline, 6 wk, and 12 wk, metabolic parameters were analyzed and oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were performed. Echocardiography and hemodynamic parameters were assessed 12 wk after MI. In the MI model, infarct size was significantly smaller after 12-wk metformin treatment (29.6 ± 3.2 vs. 38.0 ± 2.2%, P < 0.05). Moreover, metformin resulted in less left ventricular dilatation (6.0 ± 0.4 vs. 7.6 ± 0.6 mm, P < 0.05) and preservation of left ventricular ejection fraction (65.8 ± 3.7% vs. 48.6 ± 5.6%, P < 0.05) compared with MI control. The improved cardiac function was associated with decreased atrial natriuretic peptide mRNA levels in the metformin-treated group (50% reduction compared with MI, P < 0.05). Insulin resistance did not occur during cardiac remodeling (as indicated by normal OGTT) and fasting glucose levels and the pattern of the OGTT were not affected by metformin. Molecular analyses suggested that altered AMP kinase phosphorylation status and low insulin levels mediate the salutary effects of metformin. Altogether our results indicate that metformin may have potential to attenuate heart failure development after myocardial infarction, in the absence of diabetes and independent of systemic glucose levels.     

Protective effects of Curcuma longa on ischemia-reperfusion induced myocardial injuries and their mechanisms

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the cardioprotective potential of Curcuma longa (Turmeric) in the ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) model of myocardial infarction (MI). Wistar rats were divided into three groups and received saline orally (sham, control I/R group) and Curcuma longa 100 mg/kg (CL-100 treated group) respectively for one month. On the 31st day, rats of the control I/R and Cl treated groups were subjected to 45 min of occlusion of the LAD coronary artery and were thereafter reperfused for 1 h. I/R resulted in significant cardiac necrosis, depression in left ventricular function, decline in antioxidant status and elevation in lipid perodixation in the control I/R group as compared to sham control. Myocardial infarction produced after I/R was significantly reduced in the Cl treated group. Cl treatment resulted in restoration of the myocardial antioxidant status and altered hemodynamic parameters as compared to control I/R. Furthermore, I/R-induced lipid peroxidation was significantly inhibited by Cl treatment. The beneficial cardioprotective effects also translated into the functional recovery of the heart. Cardioprotective effect of Cl likely results from the suppression of oxidative stress and correlates with the improved ventricular function. Histopathological examination further confirmed the protective effects of Cl on the heart.     

Depression Increases Sympathetic Activity and Exacerbates Myocardial Remodeling after Myocardial Infarction: Evidence from an Animal Experiment

Depression is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events and mortality in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Excessive sympathetic activation and serious myocardial remodeling may contribute to this association. The aim of this study was to discuss the effect of depression on sympathetic activity and myocardial remodeling after MI. Wild-type (WT) rats were divided into a sham group (Sham), a myocardial infarction group (MI), a depression group (D), and a myocardial infarction plus depression group (MI+D). Compared with controls, the MI+D animals displayed depression-like behaviors and attenuated body weight gain. The evaluation of sympathetic activity showed an increased level in plasma concentrations of epinephrine and norepinephrine and higher expression of myocardial tyrosine hydroxylase in the MI+D group than the control groups (p<0.05 for all). Cardiac function and morphologic analyses revealed a decreased fractional shortening accompanied by increased left ventricular dimensions, thinning myocardium wall, and reduced collagen repair in the MI+D group compared with the MI group (p<0.05 for all). Frequent premature ventricular contractions, prolonged QT duration and ventricular repolarization duration, shorted effective refractory period, and increased susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmia were displayed in MI+D rats. These results indicate that sympathetic hyperactivation and exacerbated myocardial remodeling may be a plausible mechanism linking depression to an adverse prognosis after MI.     

Selective beta(1)-blockade improves cardiac bioenergetics and function and decreases neuroendocrine activation in rats during early postinfarct remodeling

In spite of the solid evidence that beta-blockade reduces mortality and morbidity in congestive heart failure (CHF) this therapy continues to be underused in clinical praxis. The reason for this may lie in scarcity of knowledge about the mechanisms of beta-blockade action. The major aim of this study was to investigate in vivo whether selective beta(1)-blockade may improve cardiac energy metabolism in rats with myocardial infarction in early postinfarct remodeling phase. Myocardial infarction (MI) was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by ligation of the left coronary artery. Two different groups of rats were studied, rats with MI treated with metoprolol (5 mg/kg/h; n = 9) and rats with MI saline treated (n = 9). The treatment with metoprolol was given by subcutaneously implanted minipumps and was initiated at 3 days postinfarct and during the period of 4 weeks. All rats were investigated with noninvasive methods (31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and transthoracic echocardiography 3 days after induction of MI and 4 weeks later. Phosphocreatine/ATP ratio was normalized after the treatment with metoprolol while it was 50% lower in the saline group (p < 0.001). In the metoprolol group stroke volume and ejection fraction increased while deceleration time of mitral early filling was longer (all p < 0.05). Left ventricular weight as well as volumes and dimensions were similar between the groups. Plasma levels of noradrenaline (p = 0.058), adrenaline (p < 0.01) and brain natriuretic peptide (p = 0.09) were lower in the metoprolol group. Selective beta(1)-blockade with high dose of metoprolol initiated in the early postinfarct phase improves myocardial energy metabolism and function and prevents overactivation of sympathetic system. The beneficial effect on myocardial bioenergetics may be an important mode of action of beta-blockers which contributes to the clinical benefits of the therapy in CHF.     

上调血红素氧合酶1对糖尿病心肌梗死大鼠心功能的远期影响

目的：研究上调血红素氧合酶1（HO-1）的表达对糖尿病心肌梗死大鼠心功能的影响及其机制。方法：将60只成年Wistar雄性大鼠随机分为5组（n=12）,分别为假手术组、糖尿病组、模型组、诱导剂组、抑制剂组。心梗造模后次日开始给药,1次／周,持续6周,术后28周,应用心脏超声、经颈动脉左心室内插管术等方法观察HO-1诱导剂钴原卟啉（CoPP）及HO活性抑制剂锡中卟啉（SnMP）干预后对心室重构及心功能各项指标的远期影响;测定血糖（GLU）、总胆红素（TB）、C反应蛋白（CRP）、血清肌酐（cr）、转氨酶（ALT）等指标;采用ELISA测定白介素-6（IL-6）、肿瘤坏死因子（TNE）、一氧化氮（NO）、前列环素（PG12）、脂联素、超敏CRP（HsCRP）等水平。结果：应用CoPP上调HO-1水平,能够改善糖尿病心梗大鼠左心室压力最大变化速率、左室射血分数、左室短轴缩短率,缩小左室舒张末期内径,升高血清胆红素、一氧化氮和前列环素水平,提高心肌组织磷酸化的内皮型一氧化氮合酶（peNOS）、磷酸化的活化蛋白激酶（pAkt）、磷酸化的腺苷活化的蛋白激酶（pAMPK）的表达,降低血清TNF-α、hs-CRP水平。使用SnMP后,能够阻断CoPP的上述作用。结论：上调HO-1通过peNOS、pAMPK途径能够长期地改善血管内皮功能,抑制炎症反应,提升血清胆红素等,有效抑制心室重塑,改善梗死后糖尿病大鼠远期的心功能。     

Ghrelin suppresses cardiac sympathetic activity and prevents early left ventricular remodeling in rats with myocardial infarction

A recent study suggests that exogenous ghrelin administration might decrease renal sympathetic nerve activity in conscious rabbits. In the present study, we investigated whether ghrelin administration would attenuate left ventricular (LV) remodeling following myocardial infarction (MI) via the suppression of cardiac sympathetic activity. Ghrelin (100 microg/kg sc, twice daily, n = 15) or saline (n = 15) were administered for 2 wk from the day after MI operation in Sprague-Dawley rats. The effects of ghrelin on cardiac remodeling were evaluated by echocardiographic, hemodynamic, histopathological, and gene analysis. In addition, before and after ghrelin (100 microg/kg sc, n = 6) was administered in conscious rats with MI, the autonomic nervous function was investigated by power spectral analysis obtained by a telemetry system. In ghrelin-treated rats, LV enlargement induced by MI was significantly attenuated compared with saline-treated rats. In addition, there was a substantial decrease in LV end-diastolic pressure and increases in the peak rate of the rise and fall of LV pressure in ghrelin-treated MI rats compared with saline-treated MI rats. Furthermore, ghrelin attenuated an increase in morphometrical collagen volume fraction in the noninfarct region, which was accompanied by the suppression of collagen I and III mRNA levels. Importantly, a 2-wk administration of ghrelin dramatically suppressed the MI-induced increase in heart rate and plasma norepinephrine concentration to the similar levels as in sham-operated controls. Moreover, acute administration of ghrelin to MI rats decreased the ratio of the low-to-high frequency spectra of heart rate variability (P < 0.01). In conclusion, these data suggest the potential usefulness of ghrelin as a new cardioprotective hormone early after MI.     

Heart rate reduction with ivabradine prevents the global phenotype of left ventricular remodeling

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic heart rate (HR) reduction with the hyperpolarization-activated current inhibitor ivabradine on the global phenotype of left ventricular (LV) remodeling in a ligated rat model. Seven days after coronary artery ligation, Wistar rats received ivabradine (10 mg · kg(-1) · day(-1) administered in drinking water) [myocardial infarction + ivabradine (MI+IVA), n = 22] or vehicle only (drinking water) (MI, n = 20) for 90 days. A sham group (n = 20) was included for model validation. MI+IVA rats had 12% lower HR (P < 0.01), improved LV volumes, 15% higher LV ejection fraction (LVEF, P < 0.01) than MI rats, and 33% reductions in both plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP, P = 0.052) and cardiac hydroxyproline. Using patch-clamp, action potential duration was reduced and transient outward current density increased (P < 0.05). Cardiac energy metabolism was also improved (+33% creatine phosphate, P < 0.001; +15% ATP; and +9% energy charge, P < 0.05). Significant correlations were found between HR and parameters of cardiac metabolism, ANP, and LVEF (all P < 0.05). The HR-reducing properties of ivabradine prevent changes in the global phenotype of LV remodeling in the rat, optimize energy consumption, and avoid electrophysiological and structural remodeling.     

Elabela gene therapy promotes angiogenesis after myocardial infarction

This study was aimed at investigating whether Elabela (ELA) gene therapy can promote angiogenesis in the treatment of myocardial infarction (MI). The fusion expression plasmid pAAV-3 × Flag/ELA-32 was successfully constructed using molecular cloning technique. The model of acute MI was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in mice. Adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) was injected into the surrounding myocardium and tail vein immediately after the model was established. AAV was injected again from the tail vein one week later. Compared with the MI+PBS (control) group, the serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration, and the values of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDd) and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVDs) of the MI+AAV-ELA (gene therapy) group were significantly decreased, while the value of left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly increased at 2 and 4 weeks after operation. Compared with the control group, the expression of CD105 and vWF and the percentage of CD31- and Ki67–co-positive cells were significantly increased in the gene therapy group. Moreover, the expressions of apelin peptide jejunum (APJ) receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGFR2, Jagged1 and Notch3 in the heart tissue around the infarction were up-regulated in mice with gene therapy. The results suggest that ELA activates VEFG/VEGFR2 and Jagged1/Notch3 pathways through APJ to promote angiogenesis after myocardial infarction. ELA gene therapy may be used in the treatment of ischaemic cardiomyopathy in future.     

Post-infarct treatment with [Pyr1]-apelin-13 reduces myocardial damage through reduction of oxidative injury and nitric oxide enhancement in the rat model of myocardial infarction

Apelin is a newly discovered peptide that has been recently shown to have cardioprotective effects in the animal model of myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injuries. The aim of the present study was to investigate the long term cardioprotective effect of [Pyr1]-apelin-13 in the rat model of MI. Male Wistar rats (n = 22) were randomly divided into three groups: (1) sham operated group (2) control MI group and (3) MI treated with apelin (MI-AP group). MI animals were subjected to 30 min of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) ligation and 14 days of reperfusion. 24 h after LAD ligation, apelin (10 nmol/kg/day) was administered i.p. for 5 days. Blood sampling was performed at days 1, 3, 5 and 7 after MI for determination of serum changes of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO). Myocardial infarct size (IS) and hemodynamic function were also measured at the end of the study at day 14. We found out that post infarct treatment with apelin decreases infarct size, serum levels of LDH, CK-MB and MDA and increases heart rate and serum level of NO in the consecutive days, but there were no significant differences in blood pressure in the MI-AP group in comparison with MI. In conclusion, apelin has long term cardioprotective effects against myocardial infarction through attenuation of cardiac tissue injury and lipid peroxidation and enhancement of NO production.     

Ghrelin对心肌梗死后心肌重塑及心脏功能的影响及其机制研究

目的:观察ghrelin对心肌梗死(MI)大鼠心肌重塑和心脏功能的影响,并探讨其可能的机制。方法:应用冠状动脉结扎术创建大鼠MI模型,并设立假手术组作为对照;造模成功后每天2次注射ghrelin(100μg/kg),持续4周,以此作为MI-ghrelin组,并以每天注射生理盐水的MI大鼠作为MI-生理盐水组。检测和比较各组大鼠左心室重塑和血流动力学的改变情况;非梗死心肌中白介素(IL)-1β、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、基质金属蛋白酶(MMP)-2、MMP-9 mRNA和蛋白的表达;梗死边界心肌细胞的凋亡情况。结果:Ghrelin可使心肌梗死后的MI大鼠降低的缩短分数(FS)、左室内压最大变化率均显著下降(dP/dtmax)、疤痕厚度明显升高,增加左室舒张末压(LVEDP)、左室收缩末内径(LVESD)、左室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)、梗死边界心肌细胞的凋亡指数显著降低。此外,ghrelin可抑制心肌梗死后的MI大鼠非梗死心肌中白介素(IL)-1β、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、质金属蛋白酶(MMP)-2和MMP-9的mRNA和蛋白的表达。结论:Ghrelin可缓解MI后大鼠LV功能紊乱及心室重塑,这可能与其抑制炎症反应及基质金属蛋白酶的表达有关。     

Progression of heart failure after myocardial infarction in the rat

This study examined the early neurohumoral events in the progression of congestive heart failure (CHF) after myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. Immediately after MI was induced by coronary artery ligation, rats had severely depressed left ventricular systolic function and increased left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV). Both left ventricular function and the neurohumoral indicators of CHF underwent dynamic changes over the next 6 wk. LVEDV increased continuously over the study interval, whereas left ventricular stroke volume increased but reached a plateau at 4 wk. Plasma renin activity (PRA), arginine vasopressin, and atrial natriuretic factor all increased, but with differing time courses. PRA declined to a lower steady-state level by 4 wk. Six to 8 wk after MI, CHF rats had enhanced renal sympathetic nerve activity and blunted baroreflex regulation. These findings demonstrate that the early course of heart failure is characterized not by a simple "switching on" of neurohumoral drive, but rather by dynamic fluctuations in neurohumoral regulation that are linked to the process of left ventricular remodeling.     

Repeated sauna therapy attenuates ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction in rats by increasing coronary vascularity of noninfarcted myocardium

Repeated sauna therapy (ST) increases endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity and improves cardiac function in heart failure as well as peripheral blood flow in ischemic limbs. The present study investigates whether ST can increase coronary vascularity and thus attenuate cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). We induced MI by ligating the left coronary artery of Wistar rats. The rats were placed in a far-infrared dry sauna at 41°C for 15 min and then at 34°C for 20 min once daily for 4 wk. Cardiac hemodynamic, histopathological, and gene analyses were performed. Despite the similar sizes of MI between the ST and non-ST groups (51.4 ± 0.3 vs. 51.1 ± 0.2%), ST reduced left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic (9.7 ± 0.4 vs. 10.7 ± 0.5 mm, P < 0.01) and end-systolic (8.6 ± 0.5 vs. 9.6 ± 0.6 mm, P < 0.01) dimensions and attenuated MI-induced increases in LV end-diastolic pressure. Cross-sectional areas of cardiomyocytes were smaller in ST rats and associated with a significant reduction in myocardial atrial natriuretic peptide mRNA levels. Vascular density was reduced in the noninfarcted myocardium of non-ST rats, and the density of cells positive for CD31 and for α-smooth muscle actin was decreased. These decreases were attenuated in ST rats compared with non-ST rats and associated with increases in myocardial eNOS and vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA levels. In conclusion, ST attenuates cardiac remodeling after MI, at least in part, through improving coronary vascularity in the noninfarcted myocardium. Repeated ST might serve as a novel noninvasive therapy for patients with MI.