scholarly journals Recovery following Thyroxine Treatment Withdrawal, but Not Propylthiouracil, Averts In Vivo and Ex Vivo Thyroxine-Provoked Cardiac Complications in Adult FVB/N Mice

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy S. Saad ◽  
Steven J. Repas ◽  
Kyle Floyd ◽  
Paul M. L. Janssen ◽  
Mohammad T. Elnakish
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Antithyroid Drug ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Treatment Withdrawal ◽  
Cardiac Complications ◽  
Lv Function ◽  
Cardiovascular Pathology ◽  
Antithyroid Treatment

Persistent cardiovascular pathology has been described in hyperthyroid patients even with effective antithyroid treatment. Here, we studied the effect of a well-known antithyroid drug, propylthiouracil (PTU; 20 mg/kg/day), on thyroxine (T4; 500 µg/kg/day)-induced increase in blood pressure (BP), cardiac hypertrophy, and altered responses of the contractile myocardium both in vivo and ex vivo after 2 weeks of treatment. Furthermore, the potential recovery through 2 weeks of T4 treatment discontinuation was also investigated. PTU and T4 recovery partially reduced the T4-prompted increase in BP. Alternatively, PTU significantly improved the in vivo left ventricular (LV) function with no considerable effects on cardiac hypertrophy or ex vivo right ventricular (RV) contractile alterations subsequent to T4 treatment. Conversely, T4 recovery considerably enhanced the T4-provoked cardiac changes both in vivo and ex vivo. Altogether, our data is in agreement with the proposal that hyperthyroidism-induced cardiovascular pathology could persevere even with antithyroid treatments, such as PTU. However, this cannot be generalized and further investigation with different antithyroid treatments should be executed. Moreover, we reveal that recovery following experimental hyperthyroidism could potentially ameliorate cardiac function and decrease the risk for additional cardiac complications, yet, this appears to be model-dependent and should be cautiously construed.

scholarly journals Computational Investigation of Transmural Differences in Left Ventricular Contractility

2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Wang ◽  
Xiaoyan Zhang ◽  
Shauna M. Dorsey ◽  
Jeremy R. McGarvey ◽  
Kenneth S. Campbell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Contractility ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Contractile Force ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Lv Function ◽  
Fe Model ◽  
Myocardial Layers ◽  
Best Fit

Myocardial contractility of the left ventricle (LV) plays an essential role in maintaining normal pump function. A recent ex vivo experimental study showed that cardiomyocyte force generation varies across the three myocardial layers of the LV wall. However, the in vivo distribution of myocardial contractile force is still unclear. The current study was designed to investigate the in vivo transmural distribution of myocardial contractility using a noninvasive computational approach. For this purpose, four cases with different transmural distributions of maximum isometric tension (Tmax) and/or reference sarcomere length (lR) were tested with animal-specific finite element (FE) models, in combination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), pressure catheterization, and numerical optimization. Results of the current study showed that the best fit with in vivo MRI-derived deformation was obtained when Tmax assumed different values in the subendocardium, midmyocardium, and subepicardium with transmurally varying lR. These results are consistent with recent ex vivo experimental studies, which showed that the midmyocardium produces more contractile force than the other transmural layers. The systolic strain calculated from the best-fit FE model was in good agreement with MRI data. Therefore, the proposed noninvasive approach has the capability to predict the transmural distribution of myocardial contractility. Moreover, FE models with a nonuniform distribution of myocardial contractility could provide a better representation of LV function and be used to investigate the effects of transmural changes due to heart disease.

Abstract 57: Platelet Extracellular-signal-regulated Kinase 5 is a Redox Switch which Regulates Myocardial Infarct Expansion via Matrix Metalloproteinases

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott J Cameron ◽  
Sara K Ture ◽  
Deanne Mickelsen ◽  
Enakshi Chakrabarti ◽  
Kristina L Modjeski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Activation ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Myocardial Infarct ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Fluorescent Imaging ◽  
Lv Function ◽  
Coronary Artery Ligation ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Platelet Receptor

Background: Dysregulated platelet activation in an ischemic microvascular environment may play a role in myocardial infarction (MI). Platelet receptor signaling is well-characterized, but mechanisms of receptor-independent activation, such as by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in ischemic conditions, are less well understood. We discovered that ERK5, a nuclear protein which is ROS-activated in others cells, is abundantly present in platelets. We investigated whether ERK5 could regulate platelet activation and thrombosis in healthy and diseased states. Methods: Human and mouse platelets were stimulated with agonists including ADP, U46619, TRAP, convulxin, or ROS (H 2 O 2 or 5% O 2 ). ERK5 activity was assessed by immunoblotting. Platelet activation was assessed via fluorescent-activated cell sorting (FACS) for P-selectin or activated GPIIb/IIIa. Intravascular thrombus (pulmonary embolus) or mesenteric thrombus (oxidative injury) formation was assessed by ex vivo fluorescent imaging and in vivo intravital microscopy, respectively. MI was performed in wild-type (WT) and in platelet specific ERK5 deficient (ERK5 -/- ) mice by LAD coronary artery ligation. Left ventricular (LV) function was determined by echocardiography. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity was determined by in-gel zymography. Results: Human and platelet ERK5 was activated by ROS and via the thrombin and thromboxane receptors, but not via the purinergic or collagen receptors. Murine in vivo thrombosis was regulated by platelet ERK5 only if the injury involved oxidative stress. MI in mice promoted sustained platelet activation over one week in an ERK5-dependent manner. Following MI, platelet ERK5 -/- mice had less reactive platelets, less platelet MMP activity and thromboxane production, attenuated MMP activity in the LV, less remodeling with smaller infarcts, and enhanced myocardial systolic performance. Conclusions: ERK5 is an ischemic sensor in platelets which regulates ongoing platelet activation after MI as well as remodeling via myocardial microvasculature. These observations may explain ischemic microvascular aberrations like the no-reflow phenomenon following percutaneous coronary intervention, suggesting a novel pharmacologic target.

Heart size-independent analysis of myocardial function in murine pressure overload hypertrophy

2002 ◽  
Vol 282 (6) ◽  
pp. H2190-H2197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideyuki Takaoka ◽  
Giovanni Esposito ◽  
Lan Mao ◽  
Hiroyuki Suga ◽  
Howard A. Rockman
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Pressure Overload ◽  
Wall Stress ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Lv Function ◽  
Compensatory Mechanism ◽  
Compensatory Response ◽  
Myocardial Stiffness ◽  
Stiffness Constant

Pressure overload cardiac hypertrophy may be a compensatory mechanism to normalize systolic wall stress and preserve left ventricular (LV) function. To test this concept, we developed a novel in vivo method to measure myocardial stress (ς)-strain (ɛ) relations in normal and hypertrophied mice. LV volume was measured using two pairs of miniature omnidirectional piezoelectric crystals implanted orthogonally in the endocardium and one crystal placed on the anterior free wall to measure instantaneous wall thickness. Highly linear ς-ε relations were obtained in control ( n = 7) and hypertrophied mice produced by 7 days of transverse aortic constriction (TAC; n = 13). Administration of dobutamine in control mice significantly increased the load-independent measure of LV contractility, systolic myocardial stiffness. In TAC mice, systolic myocardial stiffness was significantly greater than in control mice (3,156 ± 1,433 vs. 1,435 ± 467 g/cm2, P < 0.01), indicating enhanced myocardial contractility with pressure overload. However, despite the increased systolic performance, both active (time constant of LV pressure decay) and passive (diastolic myocardial stiffness constant) diastolic properties were markedly abnormal in TAC mice compared with control mice. These data suggest that the development of cardiac hypertrophy is associated with a heightened contractile state, perhaps as an early compensatory response to pressure overload.

Role of sympathetic nerves during developing cardiac hypertrophy in Grollman hypertensive rats

1987 ◽  
Vol 253 (4) ◽  
pp. H818-H825
Author(s):  
R. J. Tomanek ◽  
D. W. Carlson ◽  
P. J. Palmer ◽  
R. K. Bhatnagar
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Renovascular Hypertension ◽  
Volume Expansion ◽  
Peripheral Resistance ◽  
Sympathetic Nerves ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Lv Function ◽  
Hypertensive Rats ◽  
Anterior Portion ◽  
Mitochondrial Volume

Peak left ventricular (LV) function, during rapid volume expansion, and cardiocyte structure were studied in rats with developing cardiac hypertrophy in response to Grollman hypertension (1 kidney, 1 figure 8) after chemical sympathectomy with 6-hydroxydopamine. This form of renovascular hypertension led to the same magnitude of hypertrophy in rats with or without sympathectomy. Indices of peak LV function, measured during acute volume expansion, tended to be normal or slightly higher in hypertensive rats than in controls. Sympathectomy in rats with hypertension significantly improved cardiac and stroke indices while decreasing total peripheral resistance at peak cardiac output. Despite similar magnitudes of LV hypertrophy (LVH) in the two hypertensive groups, cardiocytes in sympathectomized rats had higher mitochondrial volume densities and slightly lower myofibrillar volume densities. After regional sympathectomy of the anterior portion of the LV with phenol, mitochondrial volume density increased by 21% in hypertensive rats with LVH. These data indicate that, during the development of LVH in response to renovascular hypertension, sympathetic nerves do not contribute to the magnitude of LVH but may limit improvement in peak LV performance in response to increased preload. However, sympathetic nerves do play a role in the regulation of mitochondrial and myofibril growth.

scholarly journals Impaired left ventricular mechanical and energetic function in mice after cardiomyocyte-specific excision of Serca2

2014 ◽  
Vol 306 (7) ◽  
pp. H1018-H1024 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. T. Boardman ◽  
J. M. Aronsen ◽  
W. E. Louch ◽  
I. Sjaastad ◽  
F. Willoch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Lv Function ◽  
Mechanical Function ◽  
Transport Mechanisms ◽  
Working Capacity ◽  
Excitation Contraction Coupling ◽  
Contraction Coupling ◽  
Plasmic Reticulum ◽  
The Relationship

Sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA)2 transports Ca2+ from the cytosol into the sarcoplasmic reticulum of cardiomyocytes and is essential for maintaining myocardial Ca2+ handling and thus the mechanical function of the heart. SERCA2 is a major ATP consumer in excitation-contraction coupling but is regarded to contribute to energetically efficient Ca2+ handling in the cardiomyocyte. Previous studies using cardiomyocyte-specific SERCA2 knockout (KO) mice have demonstrated that decreased SERCA2 activity reduces the Ca2+ transient amplitude and induces compensatory Ca2+ transport mechanisms that may lead to more inefficient Ca2+ transport. In this study, we examined the relationship between left ventricular (LV) function and myocardial O2 consumption (MV̇o2) in ex vivo hearts from SERCA2 KO mice to directly measure how SERCA2 elimination influences mechanical and energetic features of the heart. Ex vivo hearts from SERCA2 KO hearts developed mechanical dysfunction at 4 wk and demonstrated virtually no working capacity at 7 wk. In accordance with the reported reduction in Ca2+ transient amplitude in cardiomyocytes from SERCA2 KO mice, work-independent MV̇o2 was decreased due to a reduced energy cost of excitation-contraction coupling. As these hearts also showed a marked impairment in the efficiency of chemomechanical energy transduction (contractile efficiency, i.e, work-dependent MV̇o2), hearts from SERCA2 KO mice were found to be mechanically inefficient. This ex vivo evaluation of mechanical and energetic function in hearts from SERCA2 KO mice brings together findings from previous experimental and mathematical modeling-based studies and demonstrates that reduced SERCA2 activity not only leads to mechanical dysfunction but also to energetic dysfunction.

Abstract 314: BRaf Plays a Major Role in Gene Expression in Cardiomyocytes in Mouse Hearts in vivo

2017 ◽  
Vol 121 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle A Hardyman ◽  
Stephen J Fuller ◽  
Daniel N Meijles ◽  
Kerry A Rostron ◽  
Sam J Leonard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Cardiac Function ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Braf Mutations ◽  
Gene Markers ◽  
Lv Mass ◽  
Cardiac Volumes

Introduction: Raf kinases lie upstream of ERK1/2 with BRaf being the most highly expressed and having the highest basal activity. V600E BRaf mutations constitutively activate ERK1/2 and are common in cancer. The role of BRaf in the adult heart is yet to be established. ERK1/2 regulate cardiomyocyte gene expression, promoting cardiac hypertrophy and cardioprotection, but effects of ERK1/2 may depend on signal strength. Hypothesis: Our hypotheses are that BRaf is critical in regulating ERK1/2 signaling in cardiomyocytes and, whilst moderate ERK1/2 activity is beneficial, excessive ERK1/2 activity is detrimental to the heart. Methods: We generated heterozygote mice for tamoxifen- (Tam-) inducible cardiomyocyte-specific knockin of V600E in the endogenous BRaf gene. Mice (12 wks) received 2 injections of Tam or vehicle on consecutive days (n=4-10 per group). Kinase activities and mRNA expression were assessed by immunoblotting and qPCR. Echocardiography was performed (Vevo2100). M-mode images (short axis view) were analyzed; data for each mouse were normalized to the mean of 2 baseline controls. Results: V600E knockin did not affect overall BRaf or cRaf levels in mouse hearts, but significantly increased ERK1/2 activities within 48 h (1.51±0.05 fold). Concurrently, mRNAs for hypertrophic gene markers including BNP and immediate early genes (IEGs) increased signficantly. At 72 h, expression of BNP, Fosl1, Myc, Ereg and CTGF increased further, other IEGs (Jun, Fos, Egr1, Atf3) declined, and ANF was upregulated. In contrast, expression of α and β myosin heavy chain mRNAs was substantially downregulated (0.46/0.41±0.05 relative to controls). Within 72 h, left ventricular (LV) mass and diastolic LV wall thickness had increased (1.23±0.05 relative to controls), but cardiac function was severely compromised with significant decreases in ejection fraction and cardiac output (0.53/0.68±0.09 relative to controls) associated with increased LV internal diameters and cardiac volumes. Conclusions: Endogenous cardiomyocyte BRaf is sufficient to activate ERK1/2 in mouse hearts and induce cardiac hypertrophy associated with dynamic temporal changes in gene expression. However, excessive activation of ERK1/2 in isolation is detrimental to cardiac function.

Abstract 27: ApoA-I Improves Lymphatic Function Through a Platelet-Dependent Mechanism in Atherosclerotic Mice

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreea Milasan ◽  
François Dallaire ◽  
Gabriel Jean ◽  
Jean-Claude Tardif ◽  
Yahye Merhi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lymphatic Vessel ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Lymphatic Vessels ◽  
Lymphatic Transport ◽  
Lv Function ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Lymphatic Function ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Dependent Mechanism

Rationale: Lymphatic vessels (LVs) are now recognized as prerequisite players in the modulation of cholesterol removal from the artery wall in experimental conditions of plaque regression, and a particular attention has been brought on the role of the collecting LVs in early atherosclerosis-related lymphatic dysfunction. Whereas recent findings revealed that apoA-I restores the neovascularization capacity of the lymphatic system during tumor necrosis factor-induced inflammation, the effect of apoA-I on collecting LV function during atherosclerosis has not been tested. Objective: In the present study, we address whether and how apoA-I can enhance collecting LV function in atherosclerosis-associated lymphatic dysfunction. Methods and Results: A 6-week systemic treatment with lipid-free apoA-I enhanced lymphatic transport and abrogated collecting lymphatic vessel permeability in atherosclerotic Ldlr –/– mice when compared to control. As injection of apoA-I has been shown to protect wild-type mice against flow restriction-induced thrombosis, and that platelets are identified as key elements in the maintenance of lymphatic vessel integrity via their interaction with lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), we have tested whether the effects of apoA-I could be mediated through a platelet-dependent mechanism. Our in vivo results show that apoA-I kinetics in lymph reflected that of blood. Ex vivo experiments performed with washed platelets isolated from mouse blood reveal that apoA-I decreased thrombin-induced but not podoplanin-induced platelet aggregation. Whereas this result suggests that apoA-I limits platelet thrombotic potential in blood but not in lymph, we demonstrate that treatment of human LECs with apoA-I increases the adhesion of bridge-like platelets on human LECs. Conclusions: Our results suggest that apoA-I can mediate beneficial effects on lymphatic function by promoting platelet adhesion to the lymphatic endothelium and consequently restore collecting LV integrity. Altogether, we bring forward a new pleiotropic role for apoA-I in lymphatic function and unveil new potential therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.

Abstract 17607: MicroRNA Expression Profiles in Endomyocardial Biopsies From Patients With Myocarditis - Association With Left Ventricular Function and Clinical Events

Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Besler ◽  
Daniel Urban ◽  
Stefan Watzka ◽  
Karin Klingel ◽  
Reinhard Kandolf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dilated Cardiomyopathy ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Lv Function ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Function ◽  
Cardiovascular Pathology ◽  
Clinical Events ◽  
Kaplan Meier

Background: Myocarditis represents an important cause of chronic dilated cardiomyopathy. Predicting the clinical course of patients with myocarditis is difficult and the prognostic value of current histological markers remains controversial. We tested whether expression of selected microRNAs (miRNAs) in endomyocardial biopsies is related to left ventricular (LV) function and clinical events in patients with myocarditis. Methods: Endomyocardial biopsies were obtained from patients with non-inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy (n=22) and histologically proven myocarditis (n=81). Based on literature search, we predefined a set of 6 miRNAs implicated in inflammation (miR-155, miR-146b), heart failure (miR-21, miR-133a), endothelial cell (miR-126) and skeletal muscle function (miR-206). Expression of these miRNAs in endomyocardial biopsies was quantified by RT-PCR. Results: Expression of miR-133a, miR-206 and miR-155 was markedly upregulated in endomyocardial biopsies from patients with myocarditis as compared to patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, irrespective of viral or non-viral etiology. Levels of miR-133a (R=0,68, P<0,01) and miR-155 (R=0,65, P<0,01) significantly correlated with CD68 cell count in endomyocardial biopsies from patients with myocarditis. Patients with myocarditis and preserved LV function at study entry displayed higher endomyocardial expression of miR-133a than patients with reduced LV function. Higher expression levels of miR-133a were associated with improved LV function during a mean follow-up of 3,1 years. Importantly, in a Kaplan-Meier estimate, patients with myocarditis and miR-133a levels above median showed longer survival free of death and malignant arrhythmias. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that in a predefined set of miRNAs, relevant to cardiovascular pathology, endomyocardial miR-133a levels correlate with macrophage infiltration, improved LV function and clinical outcome in a comparatively large cohort of patients with histologically proven myocarditis. miR-133a may serve as a potential novel biomarker and therapeutic target in human myocarditis.

scholarly journals CXCR4 Cardiac Specific Knockout Mice Develop a Progressive Cardiomyopathy

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 2267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas J. LaRocca ◽  
Perry Altman ◽  
Andrew A. Jarrah ◽  
Ron Gordon ◽  
Edward Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Cardiac Myocytes ◽  
Knockout Mice ◽  
Cardiac Dysfunction ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Subsequent Increase ◽  
Transition Electron Microscopy ◽  
Cardiac Phenotype

Activation of multiple pathways is associated with cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. We previously published that CXCR4 negatively regulates β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) signaling and ultimately limits β-adrenergic diastolic (Ca2+) accumulation in cardiac myocytes. In isolated adult rat cardiac myocytes; CXCL12 treatment prevented isoproterenol-induced hypertrophy and interrupted the calcineurin/NFAT pathway. Moreover; cardiac specific CXCR4 knockout mice show significant hypertrophy and develop cardiac dysfunction in response to chronic catecholamine exposure in an isoproterenol-induced (ISO) heart failure model. We set this study to determine the structural and functional consequences of CXCR4 myocardial knockout in the absence of exogenous stress. Cardiac phenotype and function were examined using (1) gated cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); (2) terminal cardiac catheterization with in vivo hemodynamics; (3) histological analysis of left ventricular (LV) cardiomyocyte dimension; fibrosis; and; (4) transition electron microscopy at 2-; 6- and 12-months of age to determine the regulatory role of CXCR4 in cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyocyte specific-CXCR4 knockout (CXCR4 cKO) mice demonstrate a progressive cardiac dysfunction leading to cardiac failure by 12-months of age. Histological assessments of CXCR4 cKO at 6-months of age revealed significant tissue fibrosis in knockout mice versus wild-type. The expression of atrial naturietic factor (ANF); a marker of cardiac hypertrophy; was also increased with a subsequent increase in gross heart weights. Furthermore, there were derangements in both the number and the size of the mitochondria within CXCR4 cKO hearts. Moreover, CXCR4 cKO mice were more sensitive to catocholamines, their response to β-AR agonist challenge via acute isoproterenol (ISO) infusion demonstrated a greater increase in ejection fraction, dp/dtmax, and contractility index. Interestingly, prior to ISO infusion, there were significant differences in baseline hemodynamics between the CXCR4 cKO compared to littermate controls. However, upon administering ISO, the CXCR4 cKO responded in a robust manner overcoming the baseline hemodynamic deficits reaching WT values supporting our previous data that CXCR4 negatively regulates β-AR signaling. This further supports that, in the absence of the physiologic negative modulation, there is an overactivation of down-stream pathways, which contribute to the development and progression of contractile dysfunction. Our results demonstrated that CXCR4 plays a non-developmental role in regulating cardiac function and that CXCR4 cKO mice develop a progressive cardiomyopathy leading to clinical heart failure.

Rat model of exercise-induced cardiac hypertrophy: hemodynamic characterization using left ventricular pressure-volume analysis

2013 ◽  
Vol 305 (1) ◽  
pp. H124-H134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamás Radovits ◽  
Attila Oláh ◽  
Árpád Lux ◽  
Balázs Tamás Németh ◽  
László Hidi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Exercise Training ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Rat Model ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Stroke Work ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Exercise Induced

Long-term exercise training is associated with characteristic structural and functional changes of the myocardium, termed athlete's heart. Several research groups investigated exercise training-induced left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in animal models; however, only sporadic data exist about detailed hemodynamics. We aimed to provide functional characterization of exercise-induced cardiac hypertrophy in a rat model using the in vivo method of LV pressure-volume (P-V) analysis. After inducing LV hypertrophy by swim training, we assessed LV morphometry by echocardiography and performed LV P-V analysis using a pressure-conductance microcatheter to investigate in vivo cardiac function. Echocardiography showed LV hypertrophy (LV mass index: 2.41 ± 0.09 vs. 2.03 ± 0.08 g/kg, P < 0.01), which was confirmed by heart weight data and histomorphometry. Invasive hemodynamic measurements showed unaltered heart rate, arterial pressure, and LV end-diastolic volume along with decreased LV end-systolic volume, thus increased stroke volume and ejection fraction (73.7 ± 0.8 vs. 64.1 ± 1.5%, P < 0.01) in trained versus untrained control rats. The P-V loop-derived sensitive, load-independent contractility indexes, such as slope of end-systolic P-V relationship or preload recruitable stroke work (77.0 ± 6.8 vs. 54.3 ± 4.8 mmHg, P = 0.01) were found to be significantly increased. The observed improvement of ventriculoarterial coupling (0.37 ± 0.02 vs. 0.65 ± 0.08, P < 0.01), along with increased LV stroke work and mechanical efficiency, reflects improved mechanoenergetics of exercise-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Despite the significant hypertrophy, we observed unaltered LV stiffness (slope of end-diastolic P-V relationship: 0.043 ± 0.007 vs. 0.040 ± 0.006 mmHg/μl) and improved LV active relaxation (τ: 10.1 ± 0.6 vs. 11.9 ± 0.2 ms, P < 0.01). According to our knowledge, this is the first study that provides characterization of functional changes and hemodynamic relations in exercise-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

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