核仁素对小鼠糖尿病性心肌病心肌肥大与纤维化发生的影响

目的:阐明核仁素在小鼠糖尿病性心肌病中的作用。方法:前期研究中我们采用了心肌特异性过表达核仁素转基因小鼠制备了Ⅱ型糖尿病性心肌病模型;实验分为野生型对照组、转基因对照组、野生型糖尿病组及转基因糖尿病组。采用麦胚凝集素(wheat germ agglutinin,WGA)荧光染色检测小鼠心肌肥大情况;采用Masson三色染色检测小鼠纤维化情况;采用Power Lab system检测小鼠心肌功能变化。结果:与对照组比较,转基因糖尿病组小鼠的血糖值变化不明显,心肌细胞肥大显著减轻,胶原纤维生成显著减少,血流动力学指标±dp/dtmax、左室舒张末压、左室峰压和心率均有不同程度的改善,且差异具有统计学意义。结论:核仁素可能通过减轻糖尿病性心肌病小鼠心肌细胞肥大及纤维化的发生,从而改善糖尿病性心肌病小鼠的心功能。     

糖尿病大鼠心肌TGF-β1表达及细胞凋亡的实验研究

目的:研究糖尿病大鼠心肌转化生长因子β1(TGF-β₁)表达水平和细胞凋亡的变化，探讨糖尿病性心肌病的病理生理机制。方法：链脲菌素法复制不同病程的糖尿病模型。免疫组化方法测定TGF-β₁的表达。DNA断端末端标记法测定心肌细胞凋亡指数。结果：糖尿病大鼠心肌细胞TGF-β₁表达明显高于正常对照组（P<0.01）。TUNEL法测定心肌细胞的凋亡阳性细胞数量在糖尿病早期明显高于正常，晚期有所减少。结论：TGF-β₁在糖尿病的心肌中表达增加，且随病程发展而上升，可能是糖尿病心肌纤维化的重要促发因子。糖尿病心肌中细胞凋亡现象随病程延长而逐渐减弱，机制有待探讨。     

Effects of the association of diabetes and pulmonary emphysema on cardiac structure and function in rats

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is often associated with chronic comorbid conditions of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the association of diabetes and pulmonary emphysema on cardiac structure and function in rats. Wistar rats were divided into control non‐diabetic instilled with saline (CS) or elastase (CE), diabetic instilled with saline (DS) or elastase (DE), DE treated with insulin (DEI) groups and echocardiographic measurements, morphometric analyses of the heart and lungs, and survival analysis conducted 50 days after instillation. Diabetes mellitus was induced [alloxan, 42 mg/kg, intravenously (iv)] 10 days before the induction of emphysema (elastase, 0.25 IU/100 g). Rats were treated with NPH insulin (4 IU before elastase plus 2 IU/day, 50 days). Both CE and DE exhibited similar increases in mean alveolar diameter, which are positively correlated with increases in right ventricular (RV) wall thickness (P = 0.0022), cavity area (P = 0.0001) and cardiomyocyte thickness (P = 0.0001). Diabetic saline group demonstrated a reduction in left ventricular (LV) wall, interventricular (IV) septum, cardiomyocyte thickness and an increase in cavity area, associated with a reduction in LV fractional shortening (P < 0.05), and an increase in LViv relaxation time (P < 0.05). Survival rate decreased from 80% in DS group to 40% in DE group. In conclusion, alloxan diabetes did not affect RV hypertrophy secondary to chronic emphysema, even in the presence of insulin. Diabetes per se induced left ventricular dysfunction, which was less evident in the presence of RV hypertrophy. Survival rate was substantially reduced as a consequence, at least in part, of the coexistence of RV hypertrophy and diabetic cardiomyopathy.     

Ultrastructural alterations in cardiac muscle of diabetic BB Wistar rats

Summary The cardiac muscle of BB Wistar rats suffering from diabetes for 8 and 16 weeks (8-Wk and 16-Wk of DM) were examined by light and electron microscopy. The diabetic rats were kept alive by injections of small doses of insulin and exhibited severe hyperglycaemia, glycosuria and weight loss. The heart/body weight ratio of all diabetic groups was greater than that of age matched controls. Over the experimental period, the left ventricular myocardium of the diabetic BB rats sustained damage that was progressively more serious with the duration of the diabetic state. In BB rats after 8-wk of diabetes the myocardium contained large numbers of lipid droplets and glycogen granules around mitochondria which showed patchy swelling, and slight loss of myofilaments. Disruption of mitochondrial membranes and extensive loss of myofilaments were seen in rats diabetic for 16 wk. In addition, dilatation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum-transverse tubular system, formation of a contraction band and myelin bodies and widening of the intercellular space at the fasciae adherens of the intercalated disc were characteristically observed in BB rats after 16-wk of diabetes. However, there were no evident alterations in the capillaries of any diabetic BB rats. Morphometric analyses showed the volume percentage of myofibrils in diabetic rats to be significantly decreased when compared with controls. The loss of myofibrillar elements may be a primary damage induced by insulin deficiency. The formation of contraction bands suggests Ca²⁺ overload caused by diabetic metabolic disturbances.     

rAAV-mediated angiogenin gene transfer induces angiogenesis and modifies left ventricular remodeling in rats with myocardial infarction

In vitro studies have demonstrated that bovine angiogenin (ANG) significantly stimulates both the migration of endothelial cells and the formation of tubelike structures. The aim of this study was to explore whether ANG gene transfer could enhance vascularization, modify left ventricular remodeling, and attenuate cardiac dysfunction in rats with myocardial infarction (MI). We constructed a recombinant adeno-associated virus vector encoding the ANG gene (rAAV-ANG) and evaluated its angiogenic potential after regional transfection by intramyocardial injection immediately after left anterior descending artery ligation in rats. Four weeks after coronary artery ligation, rAAV-ANG transfection upregulated the myocardium ANG protein expression level in both normal and MI rats, and immunohistochemistry showed that the overexpressed ANG was distributed in the cytoplasm of cardiomyocytes. In rats with MI, rAAV-ANG treatment altered left ventricular remodeling, as indicated by a decrease in left ventricular end diastolic diameter, left ventricular end systolic diameter, cardiomyocyte diameter, ventricular weight to body weight ratio and interstitial fibrosis infiltration. We also found an increase in capillary density and partly restored cardiac function in the group receiving rAAV-ANG treatment. These results confirmed that in rats with MI, ANG gene transfer could induce angiogenesis, alter left ventricular remodeling, and attenuate cardiac dysfunction. This study provides a new choice of treatment for ischemic heart disease.     

抑制Rac1通过降低磷酸化p38MAPK提高1型糖尿病小鼠的心脏功能

目的:探讨抑制Rac1对1型糖尿病小鼠心肌细胞肥大、心脏功能的影响及其作用机制。方法:50只8周龄雄性C57小鼠随机分为对照组(control,n=10)、Rac1抑制剂NSC23766对照组(NSC,n=10)、1型糖尿病组(STZ,n=15)及NSC治疗组(STZ+NSC,n=15)。小鼠腹腔注射链脲佐菌素(STZ)建立1型糖尿病动物模型,血糖升高后给予小鼠腹腔注射NSC23766,实验于8周末结束,记录实验小鼠生存率、测量小鼠体重及左室重量并计算左室重量指数,运用超声心动图检测小鼠心脏功能,心肌组织进行HE染色结合图像分析软件定量心肌细胞大小,运用实时定量RT-PCR技术检测心肌组织心房利钠肽(ANP)、脑利尿肽(BNP)、β-肌球蛋白重链(β-MHC)mRNA表达,以Westernblotting定量心肌组织磷酸化p38丝裂素活化蛋白激酶(pho-p38MAPK)表达。结果:抑制Rac1后:(1)糖尿病小鼠生存率提高、糖尿病小鼠左室重量指数降低(P0.01)、心脏左室射血分数(EF)增加、左室短轴缩短率增加(FS)(P0.01);(2)心肌细胞大小明显降低(P0.01);(3)心肌肥大相关基因ANP、BNP、β-MHC表达明显降低(P0.01);(4)心肌组织pho-p38MAPK表达明显降低(P0.01)。结论:抑制Rac1活性显著改善1型糖尿病小鼠心脏功能、降低心肌细胞肥大,其机制可能与明显降低心肌组织磷酸化p38MAPK密切相关。     

2型糖尿病大鼠心功能变化及RAGE表达增强和钙调控异常

目的:通过自发性2型糖尿病大鼠观察糖尿病状态下大鼠的心脏结构和功能变化,同时探讨糖尿病心肌病的发病机制。方法:用Zucker糖尿病肥胖(Zucker diabetic fatty,ZDF)大鼠建立糖尿病模型,Zucker lean(ZL)大鼠为对照组。利用超声多普勒法检测ZDF大鼠心脏结构和功能的改变;麦胚凝集素染色计算单个心脏细胞面积;Western blot检测心肌细胞肥大标志物β-肌球蛋白重链(β-myosin heavy chain,β-MHC)和心房钠尿肽(atrial natriuretic peptide,ANP),以及晚期糖基化终产物受体(receptor for advanced glycation end products,RAGE)、L型钙通道蛋白α1C亚基(L-type calcium channelα1C subunit,CaV1.2)和钙库操纵性钙通道相关功能蛋白Orai1的表达水平。结果:与ZL大鼠相比,ZDF大鼠的血糖和体重明显增加,左心室壁增厚,心脏舒张功能明显减弱,收缩功能轻度增强;ZDF大鼠左室心肌细胞表面积明显增大,心肌细胞肥大相关蛋白β-MHC和ANP的表达水平也明显增加;ZDF大鼠心肌组织中的RAGE和Orai1蛋白表达增高,CaV1.2蛋白表达下降(P0.05)。结论:2型糖尿病大鼠心肌细胞肥大,心室肥厚,心功能代偿性增强,其机制可能与RAGE表达增强和钙调控异常有关。     

短链酰基辅酶A脱氢酶在大鼠生理性和病理性心肌肥大中的作用

 目的：研究短链酰基辅酶A脱氢酶(short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, SCAD)在大鼠生理性和病理性心肌肥大中的变化,探讨其与心肌肥大之间的关系。方法：以自发性高血压大鼠作为病理性心肌肥大模型,游泳运动训练性大鼠作为生理性心肌肥大模型。检测大鼠的血压、左室重量指数、血清和心肌游离脂肪酸含量、SCAD mRNA、蛋白表达及其酶活性的变化,采用超声心动图观察心脏的结构及功能。结果：与对照组比较,运动组大鼠出现了明显的离心性肥大,心肌收缩功能增强;而高血压组大鼠呈现出明显的向心性肥大,心肌收缩功能减退。与对照组比较,运动组和高血压组大鼠的左室重量指数均明显增高,但两组间比较无显著差异,二者发生了相同程度的心肌肥大。与对照组比较,运动组大鼠左心室SCAD mRNA和蛋白表达均明显上调,酶活性增高,血清和心肌游离脂肪酸含量明显减少;而自发性高血压大鼠左心室SCAD mRNA和蛋白表达均明显下调,酶活性下降,血清和心肌游离脂肪酸含量明显增多。结论：SCAD在生理性和病理性心肌肥大中呈现出不一致的变化趋势,可能作为区别2种不同心肌肥大的分子标志物以及病理性心肌肥大的潜在治疗靶点。     

糖尿病在糖尿病大鼠心肌梗死后心力衰竭形成中的效应

目的： 评估糖尿病在链脲霉素（STZ）诱导的血糖不加控制的糖尿病大鼠急性心肌梗死（AMI）后心力衰竭(HF)形成中的效应。方法：所有SD大鼠随机分组,糖尿病组经腹腔内注射STZ（65mg/kg）诱导糖尿病,70 d后所有AMI组结扎冠状动脉左前降支建立AMI模型。确定AMI前后各时点观察大鼠的生存率,心肌超微结构的变化,进行血流动力学分析、心肌纤维化测定及左心肥厚的评估。结果：结扎左冠状动脉前降支后,糖尿病大鼠的左心功能恶化及左室重构的速度均较非糖尿病大鼠显著。在早期阶段,糖尿病与非糖尿病大鼠心肌纤维化相似,而1月后却出现显著差别。结论：糖尿病大鼠AMI后心力衰竭进展明显加速。     

FBXW7在糖尿病心肌病中的表达

目的:检测含F框/WD重复域蛋白7(FBXW7)在1型糖尿病大鼠心肌中的表达,探究其在糖尿病心肌病发生发展中的作用。方法:实验将大鼠分为非糖尿病组(ND组)及糖尿病4、8和12周模型组(DM组),采用链脲佐菌素(60 mg/kg)一次性腹腔注射建立1型糖尿病大鼠模型。HE染色法观察心肌病理结构变化,Western blot和免疫组化法检测心肌中FBXW7蛋白的表达变化。结果:显微镜下可见糖尿病组大鼠心肌局灶性心肌细胞变性、坏死。Western blot和免疫组化结果均显示,4周、8周及12周DM组大鼠心肌中的FBXW7表达相对于ND组显著增加(P 0. 01),但是相比于4周和8周DM组,12周DM组大鼠心肌中的FBXW7表达相对下降(P 0. 05)。结论:随着糖尿病病程的延长,FBXW7在糖尿病心肌病大鼠心肌组织中的表达呈现先升高后降低的趋势,提示其在糖尿病心肌病发生发展中发挥了一定的作用。     

MicroRNAs involved in the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades pathway during glucose-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy

Cardiac hypertrophy is a key structural feature of diabetic cardiomyopathy in the late stage of diabetes. Recent studies show that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy in diabetic mice, but more novel miRNAs remain to be investigated. In this study, diabetic cardiomyopathy, characterized by hypertrophy, was induced in mice by streptozotocin injection. Using microarray analysis of myocardial tissue, we were able to identify changes in expression in 19 miRNA, of which 16 miRNAs were further validated by real-time PCR and a total of 3212 targets mRNA were predicted. Further analysis showed that 31 GO functions and 16 KEGG pathways were enriched in the diabetic heart. Of these, MAPK signaling pathway was prominent. In vivo and in vitro studies have confirmed that three major subgroups of MAPK including ERK1/2, JNK, and p38, are specifically upregulated in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy during hyperglycemia. To further explore the potential involvement of miRNAs in the regulation of glucose-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were exposed to high glucose and transfected with miR-373 mimic. Overexpression of miR-373 decreased the cell size, and also reduced the level of its target gene MEF2C, and miR-373 expression was regulated by p38. Our data highlight an important role of miRNAs in diabetic cardiomyopathy, and implicate the reliability of bioinformatics analysis in shedding light on the mechanisms underlying diabetic cardiomyopathy.     

组蛋白去乙酰化酶8对肾性高血压大鼠心肌肥大的影响

目的: 研究组蛋白去乙酰化酶8(histone deacetylase 8,HDAC8)在肾性高血压大鼠左心室肥厚中的表达变化及HDAC抑制剂丙戊酸钠(valproic acid sodium, VPA)对心肌肥厚的影响。方法: 建立2肾2夹肾性高血压大鼠模型,术后4周开始给药,VPA高剂量(400 mg·kg^-1·d^-1)组及VPA低剂量(200 mg·kg^-1·d^-1)组连续腹腔注射VPA给药4周,同时设立假手术组和阳性对照坎地沙坦(10 mg·kg^-1·d^-1)组,实验结束时测量左心室/体重比值,HE染色检测心肌组织形态学变化, RT-PCR检测心房利钠因子(atrial natriuretic factor,ANF)和HDAC8 mRNA表达,Western blotting检测HDAC8的表达情况。结果: HDAC8 mRNA和蛋白表达水平在肾性高血压大鼠心肌组织中明显上调;VPA能够剂量依赖性降低HDAC8的表达, 同时VPA治疗组与坎地沙坦组高血压大鼠的左心室肥厚得到明显逆转,表现为心室体重比降低, 肥大心肌形态明显改善且ANF的表达下调。结论: HDAC8参与了肾性高血压大鼠心肌肥厚的发病过程,VPA可以下调其表达并部分逆转心肌肥厚。     

超声微泡靶向递送aFGF对糖尿病心肌病的治疗作用及其机制研究

 目的：观察SonoVue超声微泡靶向递送酸性成纤维细胞生长因子（aFGF）对糖尿病心肌病（DCM）大鼠左室舒缩功能的保护作用并初步探讨其机制。方法：24只健康雄性SD大鼠通过腹腔注射链脲佐菌素建立DCM模型,再随机平均分成DCM组与aFGF治疗组。另选择正常对照组12只。aFGF治疗组经尾静脉注射SonoVue-aFGF溶液并同时给予心肌定点超声辐照。干预后4周对所有大鼠行心导管检查,测定左室收缩末压力(LVESP)、左室舒张末压力(LVEDP)和左室内压最大上升/下降速率(LV±dp/dtmax)。处死大鼠取心肌组织,免疫组织化学染色检测心肌微血管密度（MVD),改良Masson胶原染色法测定心肌胶原容积分数（CVF）,TUNEL法检测心肌组织凋亡指数（AI）。结果：干预后4周,aFGF治疗组大鼠LVESP和LV±dp/dtmax与DCM组比较明显增加（P<0.01）,LVEDP较DCM组明显减低（P<0.01）。aFGF治疗组MVD测值与DCM组比较明显增加（P<0.01）,而CVF及AI较DCM组明显减低（P<0.01）。结论: 超声微泡靶向递送aFGF可有效改善DCM大鼠的左心室功能,有望成为治疗DCM的新方法。     

压力负荷性左室肥厚大鼠心肌钠钙交换体和肌浆网钙泵的表达

目的 观察压力负荷性左室肥厚大鼠心功能异常及心肌钠钙交换体(NCX)和肌浆网钙泵(SERCA2a)的表达变化.方法 缩窄大鼠腹主动脉制备压力负荷性心肌肥厚模型,测定在体血流动力学及左室重量指数(LVWI),用RT-PCR和Western blot法检测左室组织NCX及SERCA2a的表达.结果 与假手术组相比,模型大鼠左室收缩压(LVSP)及左室舒张末压(LVEDP)均显著升高(P<0.01,P<0.001);左室重量指数显著增加(P<0.001)及左室NCX mRNA表达上调(P相似文献   

Angiotensin II-induced dilated cardiomyopathy in Balb/c but not C57BL/6J mice

Balb/c mice, which are T-helper lymphocyte 2 (Th2) responders, are highly susceptible to infectious and non-infectious heart diseases, whereas C57BL/6 mice (Th1 responders) are not. Angiotensin II (Ang II) is not only a vasopressor but also a pro-inflammatory factor that leads to cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and dysfunction. We hypothesized that Ang II exacerbates cardiac damage in Balb/c but not in C57BL/6 mice even though both strains have a similar level of hypertension. Twelve-week-old male C57BL/6J and Balb/c mice received either vehicle or Ang II (1.4 mg kg(-1) day(-1), s.c. via osmotic minipump) for 8 weeks. At baseline, Balb/c mice exhibited the following: (1) a lower heart rate; (2) an enlarged left ventricular chamber; (3) a lower ejection fraction and shortening fraction; and (4) twice the left ventricular collagen deposition of age-matched C57BL/6J mice. Angiotensin II raised systolic blood pressure (to ～150 mmHg) and induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in a similar manner in both strains. While C57BL/6J mice developed compensatory concentric hypertrophy and fibrosis in response to Ang II, Balb/c mice demonstrated severe left ventricular chamber dilatation, wall thinning and fibrosis, leading to congestive heart failure as evidenced by dramatically decreased ejection fraction and lung congestion (significant increase in lung weight), which are both characteristic of dilated cardiomyopathy. Our study suggests that the Th phenotype plays an active role in cardiac remodelling and function both in basal conditions and in hypertension. Angiotensin II-induced dilated cardiomyopathy in Balb/c mice is an ideal animal model for studying the impact of the adaptive immune system on cardiac remodelling and function and for testing strategies to prevent or treat hypertension-associated heart failure.     

匹伐他汀提高心肌过氧化物酶Ⅲ、细胞外超氧化物歧化酶表达减轻心肌肥厚

目的:探讨匹伐他汀对大鼠心肌肥厚模型氧化应激水平、过氧化物酶Ⅲ(PrxⅢ)和细胞外超氧化物歧化酶(EC-SOD)表达的影响。方法:SD大鼠随机分为对照组、心肌肥厚组和匹伐他汀组。心肌肥厚组和匹伐他汀组大鼠背部皮下注射异丙肾上腺素7 d制备心肌肥厚模型,对照组注射等体积生理盐水。匹伐他汀组大鼠于注药前7 d即给予匹伐他汀灌胃共14 d。注药7 d后测定大鼠右颈总动脉收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP),计算平均动脉压(MAP)。取心称量全心质量(HW)和左心室质量(LHW),计算心重指数(HW/BW,LHW/BW);分离并测量室间隔(VST)与游离室壁(LVWT)厚度;光学、电子显微镜观察心肌的形态结构;检测血清乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性、心肌内丙二醛(MDA)、过氧化氢(H_2O_2)含量、PrxⅢ和ECSOD的mRNA与蛋白水平表达变化。结果:光镜和电镜观察显示,心肌肥厚组和匹伐他汀组大鼠呈心肌细胞肥大表现,但匹伐他汀组形态改变轻于心肌肥厚组;与对照组相比,心肌肥厚组和匹伐他汀组大鼠MAP、HW/BW、LHW/BW、VST、LVWT、血清LDH活性、MDA和H_2O_2含量均明显增加,但匹伐他汀组却低于心肌肥厚组;心肌肥厚组和匹伐他汀组大鼠心肌组织PrxⅢ和EC-SOD的mRNA和蛋白表达量高于对照组,而匹伐他汀组大鼠PrxⅢ和EC-SOD表达量又高于心肌,肥厚组。结论:匹伐他汀能降低大鼠心肌肥厚模型氧化应激水平,改善心肌形态结构和功能的改变,这可能与抗氧化酶PrxⅢ和EC-SOD的表达增强密切相关。     

Beneficial effects of prolonged systemic administration of PlGF on late outcome of post-ischaemic myocardial performance

Recent evidence indicates that an imbalance between cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and blood vessel growth in the remote myocardium may contribute to heart failure in ischaemic heart disease. It remains, however, largely unknown which angiogenic factors are capable of stimulating vessel growth in the remote myocardium after myocardial infarction (MI) and whether systemic, rather than local, administration of such factors suffices to ameliorate post-MI cardiac recovery. We therefore analysed the effect of systemic placental growth factor (PlGF) delivery on myocardial recovery post-MI in mice. MI was induced by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary (LAD) artery in C57Bl6/J mice, followed by systemic injection of a PlGF adenovirus, resulting in elevated circulating levels of PlGF for 4 weeks. Functional and morphological analysis revealed that PlGF treatment induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and improved cardiac recovery at day 28 post-MI. PlGF stimulated angiogenesis in the infarct border and vessel enlargement in the remote myocardium. In this mouse model, capillary-to-cardiomyocyte ratios in the remote myocardium were maintained post-MI, but PlGF increased the vascular perfusion area in balance with the cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Overall, systemic delivery of PlGF improves cardiac performance and promotes adaptive remodelling of the post-MI heart. Copyright (c) 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Norepinephrine-induced cardiac hypertrophy of the cat heart.

Norepinephrine administration causes progressive hypertrophy of the mammalian heart as measured by myocardial mass. The purpose of this study was to determine the growth response of the myocardial tissue components as well as the myocardial cell itself to norepinephrine. Young, adult cats were given low doses of norepinephrine in dextrose or dextrose alone twice daily for 15 days. On day 16, there were no changes in the animals body weight, right ventricular systolic pressure, right ventricular end-diastolic pressure, heart rate, cardiac index, or blood pressure. However, the right ventricle/body weight, the left ventricle/body weight and the total heart weight/body weight were increased significantly in the norepinephrine treated animals. The increase was on the order of 40%. The cardiac muscle cell was also significantly increased in size and both the right and left ventricular cardiac muscle cells exhibited a dramatic increase in size as measured by cross sectional area. Upon stereological examination it was found that the amount of hypertrophy as seen in the cardiac muscle cells was paralleled by the hypertrophy seen in the other tissue components of the myocardium. The volume density of the muscle cells, the interstitial components, as well as the blood vessel compartment were identical in the control and in the norepinephrine-treated groups. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the response of the myocardium to norepinephrine is similar to that seen in response to a volume overload rather than that seen in response to pressure overload.     

Norepinephrine-induced cardiac hypertrophy of the cat heart

Norepinephrine administration causes progressive hypertrophy of the mammalian heart as measured by myocardial mass. The purpose of this study was to determine the growth response of the myocardial tissue components as well as the myocardial cell itself to norepinephrine. Young, adult cats were given low doses of norepinephrine in dextrose or dextrose alone twice daily for 15 days. On day 16, there were no changes in the animals body weight, right ventricular systolic pressure, right ventricular end-diastolic pressure, heart rate, cardiac index, or blood pressure. However, the right ventricle/body weight, the left ventricle/body weight and the total heart weight/body weight were increased significantly in the norepinephrine treated animals. The increase was on the order of 40%. The cardiac muscle cell was also significantly increased in size and both the right and left ventricular cardiac muscle cells exhibited a dramatic increase in size as measured by cross sectional area. Upon stereological examination it was found that the amount of hypertrophy as seen in the cardiac muscle cells was paralleled by the hypertrophy seen in the other tissue components of the myocardium. The volume density of the muscle cells, the interstitial components, as well as the blood vessel compartment were identical in the control and in the norepinephrine-treated groups. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the response of the myocardium to norepinephrine is similar to that seen in response to a volume overload rather than that seen in response to pressure overload.     

MCP-1and IL-1β expression in the myocardia of two young patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus and fatal diabetic ketoacidosis

Convincing evidence exists for the early onset of diabetic cardiomyopathy and coronary artery disease (CAD) as distinct forms of cardiac disease in young patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and the pre-stages of T2DM, forms of dysregulated insulin signaling. Progression of both chronic cardiac conditions is mediated by oxidative stress and low grade inflammation. This study reports the expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) chemokine and the interleukin (IL)-1β inflammatory cytokine in two young patients with suboptimal metabolic control and fatal diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), two age-matched overweight/obesity cases and two age-matched controls. In addition, markers of oxidative stress, apoptosis, collagen deposition and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy were studied. Significant expression of MCP-1 and IL-1β was seen in the myocardia of the T1DM/DKA cases, with lesser amounts expressed in the overweight/obesity myocardia. All of the other markers except cardiomyocyte hypertrophy were expressed to a significantly greater extent in the T1DM/DKA and overweight/obesity cases in comparison to the age-matched controls. Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was significantly greater in the overweight/obesity cases than in the T1DM/DKA or the control cases.