scholarly journals The Programming of Cardiac Hypertrophy in the Offspring by Maternal Obesity Is Associated with Hyperinsulinemia, AKT, ERK, and mTOR Activation

Endocrinology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (12) ◽  
pp. 5961-5971 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise S. Fernandez-Twinn ◽  
Heather L. Blackmore ◽  
Lee Siggens ◽  
Dino A. Giussani ◽  
Christine M. Cross ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Maternal Obesity ◽  
Mammalian Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Cardiac Phenotype ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation

Abstract Human and animal studies suggest that suboptimal early nutrition during critical developmental periods impacts long-term health. For example, maternal overnutrition during pregnancy and lactation in mice programs insulin resistance, obesity, and endothelial dysfunction in the offspring. Here we investigated the effects of diet-induced maternal obesity on the offspring cardiac phenotype and explored potential underlying molecular mechanisms. Dams fed the obesogenic diet were heavier (P < 0.01) and fatter (P < 0.0001) than controls throughout pregnancy and lactation. There was no effect of maternal obesity on offspring body weight or body composition up to 8 wk of age. However, maternal obesity resulted in increased offspring cardiac mass (P < 0.05), increased heart-body weight (P < 0.01), heart weight-tibia length (P < 0.05), increased left ventricular free wall thickness and area (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively), and increased myocyte width (P < 0.001). Consistent with these structural changes, the expression of molecular markers of cardiac hypertrophy were also increased [Nppb(BNP), Myh7-Myh6(βMHC-αMHC) (both P < 0.05) and mir-133a (P < 0.01)]. Offspring were hyperinsulinemic and displayed increased insulin action through AKT (P < 0.01), ERK (P < 0.05), and mammalian target of rapamycin (P < 0.05). p38MAPK phosphorylation was also increased (P < 0.05), suggesting pathological remodeling. Increased Ncf2(p67phox) expression (P < 0.05) and impaired manganese superoxide dismutase levels (P < 0.01) suggested oxidative stress, which was consistent with an increase in levels of 4-hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal (a measure of lipid peroxidation). We propose that maternal diet-induced obesity leads to offspring cardiac hypertrophy, which is independent of offspring obesity but is associated with hyperinsulinemia-induced activation of AKT, mammalian target of rapamycin, ERK, and oxidative stress.

Genistein prevents isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats

2012 ◽  
Vol 90 (8) ◽  
pp. 1117-1125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subir Kumar Maulik ◽  
Pankaj Prabhakar ◽  
Amit Kumar Dinda ◽  
Sandeep Seth
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Nitric Oxide Synthase ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Oxide Synthase

Genistein, an isoflavone and a rich constituent of soy, possesses important regulatory effects on nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and oxidative stress. Transient and low release of NO by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) has been shown to be beneficial, while high and sustained release by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) may be detrimental in pathological cardiac hypertrophy. The present study was designed to evaluate whether genistein could prevent isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy in male Wistar rats (150–200 g, 10–12 weeks old) rats. Isoproterenol (5 mg·(kg body weight)–1) was injected subcutaneously once daily for 14 days to induced cardiac hypertrophy. Genistein (0.1 and 0.2 mg·kg–1, subcutaneous injection once daily) was administered along with isoproterenol. Heart tissue was studied for myocyte size and fibrosis. Myocardial thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase levels, and 1-OH proline (collagen content) were also estimated. Genistein significantly prevented any isoproterenol-induced increase in heart weight to body weight ratio, left ventricular mass (echocardiographic), myocardial 1-OH proline, fibrosis, myocyte size and myocardial oxidative stress. These beneficial effects of genistein were blocked by a nonselective NOS inhibitor (L-NAME), but not by a selective iNOS inhibitor (aminoguanidine). Thus, the present study suggests that the salutary effects of genistein on isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy may be mediated through inhibition of iNOS and potentiation of eNOS activities.

scholarly journals A Reduction in ADAM17 Expression Is Involved in the Protective Effect of the PPAR-α Activator Fenofibrate on Pressure Overload-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy

PPAR Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Si-Yu Zeng ◽  
Hui-Qin Lu ◽  
Qiu-Jiang Yan ◽  
Jian Zou
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Angiotensin Ii ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Wall Thickness ◽  
Protective Action ◽  
Pressure Overload ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Hypertensive Rats ◽  
Protein Levels

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) agonist fenofibrate ameliorates cardiac hypertrophy; however, its mechanism of action has not been completely determined. Our previous study indicated that a disintegrin and metalloproteinase-17 (ADAM17) is required for angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy. This study aimed to determine whether ADAM17 is involved in the protective action of fenofibrate against cardiac hypertrophy. Abdominal artery constriction- (AAC-) induced hypertensive rats were used to observe the effects of fenofibrate on cardiac hypertrophy and ADAM17 expression. Primary cardiomyocytes were pretreated with fenofibrate (10 μM) for 1 hour before being stimulated with angiotensin II (100 nM) for another 24 hours. Fenofibrate reduced the ratios of left ventricular weight to body weight (LVW/BW) and heart weight to body weight (HW/BW), left ventricular anterior wall thickness (LVAW), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPW), and ADAM17 mRNA and protein levels in left ventricle in AAC-induced hypertensive rats. Similarly, in vitro experiments showed that fenofibrate significantly attenuated angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy and diminished ADAM17 mRNA and protein levels in primary cardiomyocytes stimulated with angiotensin II. In summary, a reduction in ADAM17 expression is associated with the protective action of PPAR-α agonists against pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

Lansoprazole alleviates pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure in mice by blocking the activation of β-catenin

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hairuo Lin ◽  
Yang Li ◽  
Hailin Zhu ◽  
Qiancheng Wang ◽  
Zhenhuan Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Angiotensin Ii ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Neonatal Rat ◽  
Cardiac Remodelling ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Body Weight Ratio

Abstract Aims Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used in patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention to prevent gastric bleeding, but whether PPIs are beneficial for the heart is controversial. Here, we investigated the effects of lansoprazole on cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure, as well as the underlying mechanisms. Methods and results Adult male C57 mice were subjected to transverse aortic constriction (TAC) or sham surgery and then were treated with lansoprazole or vehicle for 5 weeks. In addition, cultured neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts were exposed to angiotensin II in the presence or absence of lansoprazole. At 5 weeks after TAC, the heart weight/body weight ratio was lower in lansoprazole-treated mice than in untreated mice, as was the lung weight/body weight ratio, while left ventricular (LV) fractional shortening and the maximum and minimum rates of change of the LV pressure were higher in lansoprazole-treated mice, along with less cardiac fibrosis. In cultured cardiomyocytes, lansoprazole inhibited angiotensin II-induced protein synthesis and hypertrophy, as well as inhibiting proliferation of fibroblasts. Lansoprazole decreased myocardial levels of phosphorylated Akt, phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3β, and active β-catenin in TAC mice and in angiotensin II-stimulated cardiomyocytes. After overexpression of active β-catenin or knockdown of H+/K+-ATPase α-subunit, lansoprazole still significantly attenuated myocyte hypertrophy. Conclusion Lansoprazole inhibits cardiac remodelling by suppressing activation of the Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway independent of H+/K+-ATPase inhibition, and these findings may provide a novel insight into the pharmacological effects of PPIs with regard to alleviation of cardiac remodelling.

Reversibility of cold-induced hypertension after removal of rats from cold

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (7) ◽  
pp. 830-835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orit Shechtman ◽  
Paula E. Papanek ◽  
Melvin J. Fregly
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Cold Exposure ◽  
Adrenal Glands ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Renal Hypertrophy

Chronic exposure of rats to cold air induces hypertension, including elevation of blood pressure and cardiac hypertrophy. The present study was designed to assess reversibility of these changes after removal from cold. Five groups of six male rats each were exposed to cold (5 ± 2 °C) for 39 days, while six control rats were maintained at 26 ± 2 °C. Systolic blood pressures of the rats in one of the cold-treated groups, as well as the controls, were measured twice weekly throughout the experiment. Blood pressure of the cold-exposed rats (150 ± 3 mmHg; 1 mmHg = 133.3 Pa) became elevated significantly above that of controls (129 ± 3 mmHg) within 4 weeks. On day 39 of cold exposure, one group (six rats) of the cold-treated rats was sacrificed while still in the cold. The remaining four groups of cold-treated rats were than removed from cold and kept at 26 ± 2 °C. One group of cold-treated rats was sacrificed weekly thereafter. During the last week, the six control rats were also sacrificed. At death, the heart, kidneys, and adrenal glands were removed and weighed. Mean heart weight of the cold-treated group (346 ± 7 mg/100 g body weight), sacrificed prior to removal from cold, was significantly (p < 0.01) greater than that of controls (268 ± 5 mg/100 g body weight). The increased heart weight of the cold-treated group appeared to result mainly from an increase in left ventricular weight. The weights (mg/100 g body weight) of the kidneys and adrenal glands of cold-treated rats, measured prior to removal from cold, were significantly (p < 0.01) greater than those of controls. Two weeks after removal from cold, blood pressure, heart weight, and left ventricular weight decreased from the levels observed prior to removal from cold. However, they were still significantly greater than those of controls through the fourth week after removal from cold. Thus, the hypertension accompanying a 39-day exposure to cold appears to be only partially reversible at 4 weeks after removal from cold.Key words: cold exposure, hypertension, blood pressure, reversibility of hypertension, renal hypertrophy, cardiac hypertrophy.

scholarly journals The antioxidant tempol attenuates pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and contractile dysfunction in mice fed a high-fructose diet

2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (6) ◽  
pp. H2223-H2230 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Chess ◽  
Wenhong Xu ◽  
Ramzi Khairallah ◽  
Karen M. O'Shea ◽  
Willem J. Kop ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Pressure Overload ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Length Ratio ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Contractile Dysfunction ◽  
High Fructose Diet ◽  
High Fructose ◽  
Tibia Length

We have previously shown that high-sugar diets increase mortality and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction during pressure overload. The mechanisms behind these diet-induced alterations are unclear but may involve increased oxidative stress in the myocardium. The present study examined whether high-fructose feeding increased myocardial oxidative damage and exacerbated systolic dysfunction after transverse aortic constriction (TAC) and if this effect could be attenuated by treatment with the antioxidant tempol. Immediately after surgery, TAC and sham mice were assigned to a high-starch diet (58% of total energy intake as cornstarch and 10% fat) or high-fructose diet (61% fructose and 10% fat) with or without the addition of tempol [0.1% (wt/wt) in the chow] and maintained on the treatment for 8 wk. In response to TAC, fructose-fed mice had greater cardiac hypertrophy (55.1% increase in the heart weight-to-tibia length ratio) than starch-fed mice (22.3% increase in the heart weight-to-tibia length ratio). Treatment with tempol significantly attenuated cardiac hypertrophy in fructose-fed TAC mice (18.3% increase in the heart weight-to-tibia ratio). Similarly, fructose-fed TAC mice had a decreased LV area of fractional shortening (from 38 ± 2% in sham to 22 ± 4% in TAC), which was prevented by tempol treatment (33 ± 3%). Markers of lipid peroxidation in fructose-fed TAC hearts were also blunted by tempol. In conclusion, tempol significantly blunted markers of cardiac hypertrophy, LV remodeling, contractile dysfunction, and oxidative stress in fructose-fed TAC mice.

scholarly journals Maternal Fructose Intake Exacerbates Cardiac Remodeling in Offspring with Ventricular Pressure Overload

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 3267
Author(s):  
Steve Leu ◽  
Kay L. H. Wu ◽  
Wei-Chia Lee ◽  
You-Lin Tain ◽  
Julie Y. H. Chan
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Cardiac Remodeling ◽  
Pressure Overload ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Ventricular Pressure ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Fructose Intake ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

Recent studies demonstrated that metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases could be elicited by developmental programming, which is regulated by prenatal nutritional and environmental stress. In this study, we utilized a rat model to examine the effect of excessive maternal fructose intake during pregnancy and lactation on cardiac development and progression of pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy in offspring. Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) was performed on 3-month-old male offspring to induce ventricular pressure overload. Four weeks post-TAC, echocardiographic assessment as well as histopathological and biochemical examinations were performed on the myocardium of the offspring. Echocardiographic and gross examinations showed that heart weight, interventricular septal thickness in diastole (IVD; d), and left ventricular posterior wall thickness in diastole (LVPW; d) were elevated in offspring with TAC and further increased by maternal fructose exposure (MFE). However, the left ventricular ejection function was not significantly affected. Myocardial histopathological examination revealed that the indices of fibrosis and oxidative stress were higher in offspring with MFE and TAC than those in animals receiving either treatment. Molecular examinations on the myocardium demonstrated an MFE-induced upregulation of p38-MAPK signaling. Next generation sequence (NGS) analysis indicated a modulation of the expression levels of several cardiac hypertrophy-associated genes, including GPR22, Myh7, Nppa, P2RX4, and Npy by MFE. Subsequent RT-PCR indicated that MFE regulated the expression levels of genes responsive to cardiac hypertrophy (i.e., Myh-7, ANP) and oxidative stress (i.e., GR, GPx, and NQO-1). In conclusion, MFE during pregnancy and lactation modulated myocardial gene expression, increased oxidative stress, and exacerbated ventricular pressure overload-induced cardiac remodeling in rat offspring.

Use of tibial length to quantify cardiac hypertrophy: application in the aging rat

1982 ◽  
Vol 243 (6) ◽  
pp. H941-H947 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. C. Yin ◽  
H. A. Spurgeon ◽  
K. Rakusan ◽  
M. L. Weisfeldt ◽  
E. G. Lakatta
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Tibial Length ◽  
Aging Study ◽  
Male Wistar Rats ◽  
The Right

Fluctuations in body weight as occur with aging make body weight an unreliable reference for normalizing heart weight. We compared heart weight normalized by tibial length, which remains constant after maturity, with that normalized by body weight in 5- to 28-mo-old male Wistar rats. When normalized by tibial length or body weight, relative to the 5-mo heart, the senescent left ventricle undergoes 17 vs. 38% hypertrophy, respectively, and the right ventricle undergoes 0 vs. 28% hypertrophy, respectively. Histological measurements in the 25- compared with the 5-mo-old left ventricles reveal 6% larger myocyte diameters and 12% larger cellular cross-sectional areas, indicating about 15% hypertrophy; this value agrees more closely with the estimates based on tibial length than with those based on body weight. To allow prediction of left ventricular weight in a living rat, a regression equation using body weight, age, and tibial length was derived. This enabled us to perform a longitudinal aging study that verified that the above results were not biased by selective survival. Thus, in conditions in which body weight changes, cardiac hypertrophy can be more accurately quantified by relating heart weight to tibial length than to body weight. This approach may have applicability for assessing relative sizes of other organs as well.

Diazoxide Modulates Cardiac Hypertrophy by Targeting H2O2 Generation and Mitochondrial Superoxide Dismutase Activity

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-83
Author(s):  
Aline Maria Brito Lucas ◽  
Joana Varlla de Lacerda Alexandre ◽  
Maria Thalyne Silva Araújo ◽  
Cicera Edna Barbosa David ◽  
Yuana Ivia Ponte Viana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Superoxide Dismutase ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Superoxide Dismutase Activity ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Pharmacological Intervention ◽  
Wall Thickening ◽  
H2o2 Production ◽  
Mitochondrial Superoxide ◽  
Mitochondrial Superoxide Dismutase

Background: Cardiac hypertrophy involves marked wall thickening or chamber enlargement. If sustained, this condition will lead to dysfunctional mitochondria and oxidative stress. Mitochondria have ATP-sensitive K+ channels (mitoKATP) in the inner membrane that modulate the redox status of the cell. Objective: We investigated the in vivo effects of mitoKATP opening on oxidative stress in isoproterenol- induced cardiac hypertrophy. Methods: Cardiac hypertrophy was induced in Swiss mice treated intraperitoneally with isoproterenol (ISO - 30 mg/kg/day) for 8 days. From day 4, diazoxide (DZX - 5 mg/kg/day) was used in order to open mitoKATP (a clinically relevant therapy scheme) and 5-hydroxydecanoate (5HD - 5 mg/kg/day) or glibenclamide (GLI - 3 mg/kg/day) were used as mitoKATP blockers. Results: Isoproterenol-treated mice had elevated heart weight/tibia length ratios (HW/TL). Additionally, hypertrophic hearts had elevated levels of carbonylated proteins and Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS), markers of protein and lipid oxidation. In contrast, mitoKATP opening with DZX avoided ISO effects on gross hypertrophic markers (HW/TL), carbonylated proteins and TBARS, in a manner reversed by 5HD and GLI. Moreover, DZX improved mitochondrial superoxide dismutase activity. This effect was also blocked by 5HD and GLI. Additionally, ex vivo treatment of isoproterenol- induced hypertrophic cardiac tissue with DZX decreased H2O2 production in a manner sensitive to 5HD, indicating that this drug also acutely avoids oxidative stress. Conclusion: Our results suggest that diazoxide blocks oxidative stress and reverses cardiac hypertrophy. This pharmacological intervention could be a potential therapeutic strategy to prevent oxidative stress associated with cardiac hypertrophy.

The aging-induced hyperexcretion of glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide is essential for the healthy cardiac remodeling by prevention of cardiac ceramide accumulation

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Kureishi Bando ◽  
Y.R Remina ◽  
T.K Kamihara ◽  
K.N Nishimura ◽  
T.M Murohara
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Ketone Bodies ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Lv Function ◽  
Cardiac Aging ◽  
Normal Left Ventricular ◽  
Insulinotropic Peptide ◽  
Ceramide Accumulation ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

Abstract Background Glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) is incretin hormone that is emerged as an important regulator of lipid metabolism. Fat intake induces hypersecretion of GIP that is involved in obesity and ectopic fat accumulation. Aging is another stimulant of GIP hypersecretion, which is suggested as a cause of “sarcopenic obesity in elderly”. In heart, aging is the known risk factor of HFpEF, of which typical characteristics is pathological cardiac hypertrophy induced by unknown cause(s). It remained uncertain whether any ectopic fat accumulation, such as cardiac steatosis may cause the aging-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Ceramide is one of the lipid metabolites that involves in apoptosis, inflammation, and stress responses, which are among the pathogenic components of heart failure. However, it remained unclear whether the ceramide may play any pathophysiological role in cardiac aging. Purpose We thus hypothesized whether cardiac aging may alter cardiac lipid metabolism and the GIP may play a regulatory role in the cardiac aging via modulating cardiac steatosis, particularly ceramide. Methods Mouse model of GIPR deficiency (GIPR-KO) was employed and cardiac evaluation of GIPR-KO and the age-matched wild type mice were performed. Results Aging (50w/o) induced GIP hypersecretion in control mice and their body and heart weight were 50% increased as compared to younger counterpart (10w/o). In contrast, the aging-induced increase rate in body and heart weight of GIPR-KO was significantly lower (22%). Aging also increased the circulating ketone bodies with increase in FGF21 expression in heart and, notably, there was no pathological increase in cardiac ceremide and oxidative stress with normal left-ventricular (LV) function (LVEF=82.2±1.8). In contrast, GIPR-KO exhibited pathological increase in cardiac ceramide without the elevation of the circulating ketone bodies. The younger GIPR-KO (10 w/o) exhibited normal left-ventricular (LV) function, however, the older mice (50 w/o) exhibited systolic LV dysfunction (LVEF=55.8±8.5) with increase in cardiac apoptosis and oxidative stress. Cardiac ceramide accumulation was increased in the aged normal mice, which was significantly higher in the aged GIPR-KO. Furthermore, GIPR-KO exhibited increase in cardiac fibrosis and oxidative stress, which were absent in the aged normal counterpart. Conclusion Aging increased circulating GIP level the leads to compensatory rise in the circulating ketone bodies without pathological increase in cardiac ceremide and related oxidative stress in heart. Loss of GIP signaling caused pathological increase in cardiac ceramide, leading to the aging-induced progression of systolic left-ventricular dysfunction. Collectively, we conclude that the aging-induced GIP hyperexcretion is essential for the aging-induced healthy cardiac remodeling by augmenting compensatory ketone body elevation. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): KAKEN-HI

Abstract 16165: Inorganic Arsenic Induces Sex-Dependent Pathological Cardiac Hypertrophy

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raihan Kabir ◽  
Prithvi Sinha ◽  
Sumita Mishra ◽  
Obialunanma V Ebenebe ◽  
Nicole Taube ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Inorganic Arsenic ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Luciferase Assay ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Left Ventricular Geometry ◽  
Wall Thickening ◽  
Pathological Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Relevant Dose

Exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAS) through drinking water is well-associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, yet the mechanisms through which it induces these effects are not fully understood. Recent epidemiological findings highlight an association between iAS exposure and altered left ventricular geometry in both the presence and absence of hypertension. We therefore tested the hypothesis that iAS exposure has a bimodal impact on cardiac-intrinsic and hemodynamic mechanisms that together induce pathological remodeling of the myocardium. Adult male and female mice were exposed to an environmentally relevant dose of 615 μg/L NaAsO 2 for eight weeks. Males (n=9-10 mice/group) exhibited increased systolic blood pressure (115.1±3.0 vs. 106.0±2.3 mmHg, p=0.0350) via tail cuff photoplethysmography, left ventricular wall thickening (0.98±0.01 vs. 0.88±0.01 mm, p<0.0001) via transthoracic echocardiography, increased heart weight to tibia length (8.56±0.21 vs. 7.15±0.24 mg/mm; n=24 mice/group), and increased plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (47.85±12.0 vs. 15.14±3.73 pg/mL, p=0.0379) via enzyme immunoassay. Myocardial mRNA transcript levels (n=10 hearts/group) of Acta1 (1.36±0.18 vs. 0.73±0.11, p=0.0037), Myh7 (1.53±0.15 vs. 1.04±0.10, p=0.0138), and Nppa (2.40±0.29 vs. 1.02±0.07, p=0.0001) were increased, and Myh6 (0.92±0.17 vs. 1.14±0.23, p=0.0001) was decreased, evidencing pathological hypertrophy in the male heart. Female hearts, however, were largely protected at this eight-week timepoint as similar changes were not detected. Further investigation found that Rcan1 was upregulated (1.47±0.19 vs. 0.97±0.04, p=0.0161; n=10 hearts/group) in male hearts, suggesting that calcineurin-NFAT was activated. Interestingly, iAS was sufficient to activate NFAT (0.82±0.11 vs. 0.46±0.05, p=0.0214; n=8 wells/group) independent of blood pressure via luciferase assay. In conclusion, these results demonstrate for the first time that iAS may cause pathological cardiac hypertrophy not only by increasing hemodynamic load, but also by activating calcineurin-NFAT and inducing fetal gene expression in the male heart, thus providing novel mechanistic insight into the threat of iAS exposure to the cardiovascular system.

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