Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Hypertrophy”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources

Higher antioxidative capacity during a chronic stable heart hypertrophy.

Changes in oxygen radical mechanisms during 6-48 weeks of heart hypertrophy in rats subjected to a narrowing of the subdiaphragmatic aorta were examined. During this period, hypertrophied hearts demonstrated a stable hyperfunction, as indicated by an elevated but stable left ventricular systolic pressure, dP/dt, and aortic pressure and no change in left ventricular end diastolic pressure. Experimental animals showed increased heart-to-body weight ratios; however, the conventional signs of heart failure such as increased wet-to-dry weight ratios of liver and lung, ascites, or pleural effusion were absent. Hearts were examined for superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and lipid peroxide activities. The superoxide dismutase activity was significantly higher in hypertrophied hearts at 6 and 12 weeks as compared with sham-operated rats (sham controls), while no difference was seen at 24 and 48 weeks due to a marked increase in the superoxide dismutase activity of sham control hearts in these age groups. During the period studied, glutathione peroxidase activity remained unchanged in controls but was significantly elevated in hypertrophied hearts. Lipid peroxide activity as indicated by the malondialdehyde content was significantly lower in hypertrophied hearts. Perfusion of isolated control and hypertrophy hearts with xanthine-xanthine oxidase, an exogenous source of oxygen radicals, resulted in contractile failure and rise in resting tension. In hypertrophied hearts, however, the contractile force was better maintained and there was a lesser rise in resting tension after exposure to xanthine-xanthine oxidase. The study suggests the development of a higher antioxidative capacity during the stable phase of hypertrophy due to a chronic pressure overload.

Animals↗

Influence of glucose and insulin on the exaggerated diastolic and systolic dysfunction of hypertrophied rat hearts during hypoxia.

Myocardial hypertrophy can result in increased sensitivity toward the development of mechanical dysfunction during hypoxia. Alterations in glycolytic metabolism may contribute to this. We studied the response to 15 minutes of hypoxia in hypertrophied (deoxycorticosterone-salt hypertension model) and nonhypertrophied rat hearts and examined the influence of a high glucose (27.5 mM) and insulin (100 mU/ml) concentration. In response to hypoxia in the presence of a normal glucose concentration (5.5 mM), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was higher in hypertrophied than in nonhypertrophied hearts (65 +/- 6 vs. 44 +/- 4 mm Hg; p less than 0.05). Perfusion with high glucose and insulin blunted the rise in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure in both hypertrophied and nonhypertrophied hearts and abolished the difference in diastolic dysfunction between groups during hypoxia (26 +/- 2 vs. 32 +/- 4 mm Hg, respectively; p = NS). At end hypoxia in the presence of a normal glucose concentration, developed pressure was more depressed in hypertrophied than in nonhypertrophied hearts (11 +/- 1 vs. 18 +/- 1% of baseline, respectively; p less than 0.05). Perfusion with high glucose and insulin resulted in improved function in both groups during hypoxia such that a greater impairment of developed pressure was no longer present in the hypertrophied versus nonhypertrophied hearts (21 +/- 1 vs. 24 +/- 2% of baseline, respectively; p = NS). At the end of hypoxic perfusion in the presence of a normal glucose concentration, hypertrophied hearts were producing 38% less lactate than nonhypertrophied hearts. Perfusion with high glucose and insulin increased lactate production in both groups and equalized lactate production between groups. Thus, the greater deterioration in hemodynamic function in hypertrophied hearts compared with nonhypertrophied hearts during hypoxia is associated with lower lactate production. Both the exaggerated hemodynamic dysfunction and deficient lactate production can be ameliorated by perfusion with a high glucose concentration and insulin.

Animals↗

Calcium current in single cells isolated from normal and hypertrophied rat heart. Effects of beta-adrenergic stimulation.

The L-type calcium current was investigated in normal and hypertrophied rat ventricular myocytes as a possible cause of the action potential lengthening that has been reported during hypertrophy. Regulation of the calcium current (ICa) by a beta-adrenergic agonist (isoproterenol) was also analyzed since beta-agonist-induced positive inotropy is less marked in hypertrophied heart. Left ventricular hypertrophy was induced by stenosis of the abdominal aorta. For recording ICa, the whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used. Potassium currents were suppressed by replacing K+ ions with Cs+ ions in both the extracellular and intracellular media, and sodium current was blocked by 50 microM tetrodotoxin. The Ca2+ current was larger in hypertrophied cells (2.2 +/- 0.6 nA [n= 31]) than in normal cells (1.2 +/- 0.5 nA [n = 33]). However, if one relates ICa amplitude to the cell membrane area, as estimated by membrane capacitance measurement, no significant difference was observed in current density (8.5 +/- 2.5 pA/pF [n = 31] and 8.3 +/- 2.1 pA/pF [n = 33] in hypertrophied and in normal cells, respectively). In both cell types, ICa displayed the same voltage and time dependence. When expressed as a percentage, the maximal increase in ICa amplitude that was obtained with 100 nM isoproterenol was less in hypertrophied cells (+78%) than in normal cells (+120%). The sensitivity of ICa to beta-adrenergic stimulation was not modified: EC50 was 3.8 nM for hypertrophied cells and 4.8 nM for normal cells. Forskolin and cyclic AMP were as effective in both cell types. Stimulation of ICa by beta-adrenergic agonist was decreased in agreement with a reduced number of binding sites of beta-agonists and/or an altered coupling of the G-proteins.

Action Potentials↗

Diminished transient outward currents in rat hypertrophied ventricular myocytes.

Action potential duration is prolonged in ventricular hypertrophy induced by sustained pressure overload. Since the transient outward current (I(to)) is a major factor for determining action potential duration in rat ventricular cells, we used patch-clamp techniques to compare the characteristics of I(to) in normal and hypertrophied left ventricular cells of the rat. Left ventricular pressure overload was induced by partial ligation of the abdominal aorta for 4 to 6 weeks before study. Age-matched normal rats served as controls. Pressure overload increased the heart weight-to-body weight ratio by 47.7%. I(to) was significantly smaller in hypertrophied cells than in normal cells (20.0 +/- 1.3 versus 31.0 +/- 2.1 pA/pF, respectively, at a test potential of +60 mV; P < .001). There were no differences in the steady-state inactivation, the inactivation time course, and the time course of recovery from inactivation between normal and hypertrophied cells. At the single-channel level, there were no differences in the unitary current amplitude of the single I(to) channel between normal and hypertrophied cells, and the slope conductance was 13.7 picosiemens in normal cells and 13.4 picosiemens in hypertrophied cells. The maximum open-state probability, which was estimated from the ratio of the peak of the ensemble-averaged currents to the single-channel current amplitude, was similar for normal and hypertrophied cells (0.66 +/- 0.03 and 0.69 +/- 0.04, respectively, at a test potential of +40 mV; P = NS). We conclude that diminished I(to) contributes to action potential prolongation in hypertrophied ventricular cells from pressure-overloaded rat hearts. Reduced I(to) channel density may be responsible for the diminished whole-cell I(to).

Animals↗

Propionyl L-carnitine improvement of hypertrophied heart function is accompanied by an increase in carbohydrate oxidation.

Propionyl L-carnitine (PLC) is a naturally occurring derivative of L-carnitine that can improve hemodynamic function of hypertrophied rat hearts. The mechanism(s) responsible for the beneficial effects of PLC is not known, although improvement of myocardial energy metabolism has been suggested. In this study, we determined the effect of PLC on carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism in hypertrophied rat hearts. Myocardial hypertrophy was produced by partial occlusion of the suprarenal aorta of juvenile rats. Over a subsequent 8-week period, a mild hypertrophy developed, resulting in a 17% increase in heart weight in these animals compared with the sham-operated control animals. Myocardial carnitine was decreased in hypertrophied hearts compared with hearts from sham-operated animals (4155 +/- 383 versus 5924 +/- 570 nmol.g dry wt-1, respectively; P < or = .05). Perfusion of isolated working hearts for 60 minutes with buffer containing 1 mmol/L PLC increased carnitine content in hypertrophied hearts from 4155 +/- 383 to 7081 +/- 729 nmol.g dry wt-1 (P < or = .05). In the presence of 1.2 mmol/L palmitate, fatty acid oxidation rates were not decreased in the hypertrophied hearts compared with control hearts. PLC treatment did not alter rates of fatty acid oxidation in control hearts but did result in a small increase in rates in the hypertrophied hearts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Inhibition of histone deacetylation blocks cardiac hypertrophy induced by angiotensin II infusion and aortic banding.

BACKGROUND: A number of distinct stress signaling pathways in myocardium cause cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Class II histone deacetylases (HDACs) antagonize several stress-induced pathways and hypertrophy. However, cardiac hypertrophy induced by transgenic overexpression of the homeodomain only protein, HOP, can be prevented by the nonspecific HDAC inhibitors trichostatin A and valproic acid, suggesting that alternate targets that oppose class II HDAC function might exist in myocardium. We tested the effects of several HDAC inhibitors, including a class I HDAC-selective inhibitor, SK-7041, on cardiac hypertrophy induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) treatment or aortic banding (AB). METHODS AND RESULTS: Cardiac hypertrophy was induced by chronic infusion of Ang II or by AB in mice or rats and evaluated by determining the ratio of heart weight to body weight or to tibia length, cross-sectional area, or echocardiogram. Cardiac hypertrophy induced by Ang II or AB for 2 weeks was significantly reduced by simultaneous administration of trichostatin A, valproic acid, or SK-7041. Echocardiogram revealed that exaggerated left ventricular systolic dimensions were relieved by HDAC inhibitors. HDAC inhibitors partially reversed preestablished cardiac hypertrophy and improved survival of AB mice. The expressions of atrial natriuretic factor, alpha-tubulin, beta-myosin heavy chain, and interstitial fibrosis were reduced by HDAC inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the predominant effect of HDAC inhibition, mainly mediated by class I HDACs, is to prevent cardiac hypertrophy in response to a broad range of agonist and stretch stimuli.

Angiotensin II↗

Cardiac hypertrophy after transplantation is associated with persistent expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms that contribute to cardiac allograft hypertrophy are not known; however, the rapid progression and severity of hypertrophy suggest that nonhemodynamic factors may play a contributory role. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a cytokine produced in cardiac allografts and capable of producing hypertrophy and fibrosis; therefore, we suggest that TNF-alpha may play a contributory role. Accordingly, the aims of our study were to define the role of systemic hypertension in the development of hypertrophy, characterize the histological determinants of hypertrophy, and characterize the expression of myocardial TNF-alpha after heart transplantation. METHODS AND RESULTS: To separate the effect of hypertension from immune injury in the development of cardiac allograft hypertrophy, we measured the gain in left ventricular mass by 2D echocardiography in heart transplant recipients and lung transplant recipients who developed similar rates of systemic hypertension. The gain in left ventricular mass was 73% in heart transplant recipients and 7% in lung transplant recipients (P<0.0001). By comparing myocardial samples obtained during the first week after transplant and at 1 year, we found that there was a significant increase in total collagen content (P<0.0001), collagen I (P<0.0001), collagen III (P<0.0001), and myocyte size (P<0.0001). These changes were associated with persistent myocardial TNF-alpha expression. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the contribution of hypertension to cardiac allograft hypertrophy is minimal and that persistent intracardiac expression of TNF-alpha may contribute to the development of cardiac allograft hypertrophy.

Cardiomegaly↗

Hemodynamic versus adrenergic control of cat right ventricular hypertrophy.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether cardiac hypertrophy in response to hemodynamic overloading is a primary result of the increased load or is instead a secondary result of such other factors as concurrent sympathetic activation. To make this distinction, four experiments were done; the major experimental result, cardiac hypertrophy, was assessed in terms of ventricular mass and cardiocyte cross-sectional area. In the first experiment, the cat right ventricle was loaded differentially by pressure overloading the ventricle, while unloading a constituent papillary muscle; this model was used to ask whether any endogenous or exogenous substance caused uniform hypertrophy, or whether locally appropriate load responses caused ventricular hypertrophy with papillary muscle atrophy. The latter result obtained, both when each aspect of differential loading was simultaneous and when a previously hypertrophied papillary muscle was unloaded in a pressure overloaded right ventricle. In the second experiment, epicardial denervation and then pressure overloading was used to assess the role of local neurogenic catecholamines in the genesis of hypertrophy. The degree of hypertrophy caused by these procedures was the same as that caused by pressure overloading alone. In the third and fourth experiments, beta-adrenoceptor or alpha-adrenoceptor blockade was produced before and maintained during pressure overloading. The hypertrophic response did not differ in either case from that caused by pressure overloading without adrenoceptor blockade. These experiments demonstrate the following: first, cardiac hypertrophy is a local response to increased load, so that any factor serving as a mediator of this response must be either locally generated or selectively active only in those cardiocytes in which stress and/or strain are increased; second, catecholamines are not that mediator, in that adrenergic activation is neither necessary for nor importantly modifies the cardiac hypertrophic response to an increased hemodynamic load.

Animals↗

Endothelin and angiotensin II stimulation of Na+-H+ exchange is impaired in cardiac hypertrophy.

We compared the effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) on intracellular pH, intracellular [Ca2+]i, and cell contraction in hypertrophied adult ventricular myocytes from ascending aortic banded rats and age-matched controls. Intracellular pH (pH(i)) was measured in individual myocytes with SNARF-1, and [Ca2+]i was measured with indo-1, simultaneous with cell motion. Experiments were performed at 36 degrees C in myocytes paced at 0.5 Hz in Hepes-buffered solution (pH(o) 7.40) containing 1.2 mM CaCl2. At baseline, calibrated pH(i), diastolic and systolic [Ca2+]i values, and the amplitude of cell contraction were similar in hypertrophied and control myocytes. Exposure of the control myocytes to 10 nM ET-1 caused an increase in the amplitude of cell contraction to 163+/-22% of baseline (P < 0.05), associated with intracellular alkalinization (pH(i) + 0.08+/-0.02 U, P < 0.05) and a slight increase in peak systolic [Ca2+]i (104+/-11% of baseline, P < 0.05). In contrast, in the hypertrophied myocytes, exposure to ET-1 did not increase the amplitude of cell contraction or cause intracellular alkalinization (-0.01+/-0.02 U, NS). Similar effects were observed in the hypertrophied and control myocytes in response to exposure to 10 nM angiotensin II. ET-1 also increased the rate of recovery from intracellular acidosis induced by the washout of NH4Cl in the control cells, but did not do so in the hypertrophied cells. In the presence of 10 microM 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)-amiloride, which inhibits Na+-H+ exchange, ET-1 did not cause a positive inotropic effect or intracellular alkalinization in control cells. The activation of protein kinase C by exposure to phorbol ester caused intracellular alkalinization and it increased the rate of recovery from intracellular acidification induced by an NH4Cl pulse in control cells but not in hypertrophied cells. ET-1, as well as angiotensin II, and phorbol ester, fail to stimulate forward Na+-H+ exchange in adult hypertrophied myocytes. These data suggest a defect in the coupling of protein kinase C signaling with Na+-H+ exchange in adult hypertrophied myocytes.

Amiloride↗

Vectorcardiographic findings in concentric and eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy as determined by angiocardiograms. 1. Preliminary report.

In forty-one patients with various heart diseases including 29 with LVH, the vectorcardiograms of Frank system and angiocardiographic findings correlated minutely. Based on the left ventricular wall thickness in end-diastole, left ventricular end-diastolic volume, and the length of the long axis of the left ventricle obtained in angiocardiograms, typical left ventricular hypertrophy was classified into types 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b anatomically. The vectorcardiograms in these 4 types represented different patterns with regard to the QRS and T loops respectively. The QRS voltage in the left ventricular hypertrophy closely correlated to the left ventricular wall thickness in end-diastole, the left ventricular end-diastolic volume, and the left ventricular mass. Marked ST and T changes in the left ventricular concentric hypertrophy characterized by increase in wall thickness without definite chamber enlargement may be closely related to the abnormal muscle state with the increased left ventricular wall thickness, the probably due to relative hypoxia in origin. The Q loop of patients with severe left ventricular concentric hypertrophy was definitely differentiated from that of most patients with the pure left ventricular eccentric hypertrophy which was characterized by chamber enlargement with usually slight thickening of the wall. A possible mechanism regarding inconspicuous or prominent Q loops in both concentric and eccentric LVH was presented. An important factor of the delay of the time of occurrence of the spatial R vector in the left ventricular eccentric hypertrophy is the greater distance of the intraventricular conducting pathways caused by the left ventricular dilatation. By means of assessing the vectorcardiogram of the left ventricular hypertrophy, relatively exact anatomy of the left ventricular hypertrophy can be determined.

Adolescent↗

Histopathological study of the papillary muscles and apex cordis of the hypertrophied left ventricle.

Hypertrophy of the papillary muscle and apex cordis of the left ventricle was studied histopathologically using 84 hearts obtained at autopsy. The hearts were divided into three groups: a hypertrophy group (heart weight more than 350 g); a borderline group (heart weight between 350 and 300 g) and a control group (heart weight less than 300 g). The size of the papillary muscle increased with increase in heart weight. Derangement of myocyte linings and fibrosis at the papillary muscle base became apparent with hypertrophy. In addition derangement and fibrosis extented from the internal to middle layers of the free wall with progressing hypertrophy. Derangement seemed to precede hypertrophy and fibrosis. A cluster of huge myocyte-like Purkinje's cells were associated with the center of the derangement. At the apex, criss-cross derangement developed from right and left side derangement with increasing hypertrophy. It is speculated that the focal derangement plays an important role in producing hypertrophy in response to mechanical stress with subsequent development of hypertrophy and fibrosis with some asymmetry.

Cardiomegaly↗

Relationship between electrocardiographic features and distribution of hypertrophy in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

To evaluate the relationship between the distribution of hypertrophy and the electrocardiographic findings in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), 54 HCM patients were studied using magnetic resonance imaging. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to hypertrophic patterns: (i) hypertrophy only at the apex (group I, n=12); (ii) hypertrophy in both the apex and base (group II, n=20); (iii) hypertrophy only at the base with asymmetric septal hypertrophy (ASH) (group IIIa, n=17); and (iv) hypertrophy only at the base without ASH (group IIIb, n=5). Abnormal Q waves in leads II, III and aVF were found in 1/12, 3/20, 10/17 and 0/5, respectively, and in leads I and aVL they were found in 1/12, 8/20, 4/17 and 1/5, respectively. The largest negative T waves (mm) were found in group I (group I vs group II vs group IIIa vs group IIIb: 15.2+/-5.3, 8.2+/-6.1, 1.6+/-2.0, 0.8+/-1.3, respectively). The largest positive T waves (mm) were identified in group IIIb (3.8+/-3.0, 6.8+/-3.2, 5.8+/-3.6, 9.3+/-2.1, respectively). The presence of abnormal Q waves reflected regional hypertrophy in HCM patients but the configuration of T waves represented the difference in the localization of hypertrophy between the basal and apical segments.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Differential induction of protein kinase C isoforms at the cardiac hypertrophy stage and congestive heart failure stage in Dahl salt-sensitive rats.

Several protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms may play important roles in cellular signaling pathways. Recent reports have suggested that PKC plays critical isoform-specific roles in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. The purpose of the present study was to examine the expression profiles of PKC isoforms in models of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. We examined the cardiac expression of individual PKC isoforms at the cardiac hypertrophy stage and the heart failure stage in Dahl salt-sensitive rats by Western blot analysis. The levels of all PKC isoforms increased at the cardiac hypertrophy stage and the heart failure stage, but the pattern of increase differed among PKC isoforms at the heart failure stage. The expressions of PKCalpha, beta, and delta increased at the cardiac hypertrophy stage and remained elevated at the heart failure stage. On the other hand, the expression of PKCepsilon and atypical PKCs (aPKCs) increased at the cardiac hypertrophy stage, but this increase tended to decline at the congestive heart failure stage. These results suggest that there are two groups of PKC isoforms. Several reports have shown that PKCalpha, beta, and delta are involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure, and that PKCepsilon plays a role in the physiological hypertrophic responses and cardioprotective actions. These facts suggest that all PKC isoforms (PKCalpha, beta, delta, epsilon, and aPKCs) expressed in the heart may have similar functions at the cardiac hypertrophy stage, but that two groups of PKC isoforms (PKCalpha, beta, delta, and PKCepsilon, aPKCs) have different functions at the congestive heart failure stage.

Animals↗

Evaluation of Morton's theory of second metatarsal hypertrophy.

BACKGROUND: Originally introduced by Morton, the concept of hypertrophy of the medial cortex and the entire shaft of the second metatarsal as an objective sign of increased mobility of the first ray has not been subjected to much scrutiny. The goal of the current study was to assess the clinical relevance and reliability of radiographic measures of hypertrophy of the second metatarsal in relation to mobility of the first ray, pes planus, and tightness of the gastrocnemiussoleus in both control subjects and patients with diagnosed disorders of the forefoot. METHODS: Four study groups of forty-three subjects each were evaluated. The cohort included an asymptomatic control group as well as three groups made up of patients with symptoms and a diagnosis of hallux valgus, hallux rigidus, or interdigital neuroma. Mobility of the first ray (as measured with a device and method described by Klaue et al.), arch height, and ankle dorsiflexion were measured on physical examination. Plain weight-bearing radiographs and previously established equations were used to determine hypertrophy and the length of the second metatarsal, and the hallux valgus and first-second intermetatarsal angles were measured on plain radiographs as well. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the control and symptomatic groups with regard to the values for hypertrophy of the second metatarsal. The patients with hallux valgus deformity had significantly greater mobility of the first ray (p < 0.001) compared with the controls. No correlation was found between values for hypertrophy of the second metatarsal and mobility of the first ray, the length of the first metatarsal, pes planus, or restricted ankle dorsiflexion. No correlation was found between mobility of the first ray and either pes planus or restricted ankle dorsiflexion. A weak correlation (r = 0.4) was noted between increased mobility of the first ray and the hallux valgus angle. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings do not support Morton's concept that medial cortical hypertrophy and increased shaft width of the second metatarsal are associated with increased mobility of the first ray or relative shortness of the first metatarsal. In addition, hypertrophy of the second metatarsal was not associated with either pes planus or restricted ankle dorsiflexion. We found the practice of using hypertrophy of the second metatarsal as an indicator of mobility of the first ray to be unreliable, and thus we consider it to be an inappropriate indication for arthrodesis of the first metatarsocuneiform joint in the treatment of hallux valgus deformity.

Adult↗

Free vascularized fibular grafts: radiographic evidence of remodeling and hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVE: A study was undertaken to determine the growth potential and radiographic appearance of a free vascularized fibular graft as it responds to the mechanical and physiologic features of its new environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a 10-year period, 30 patients underwent reconstruction of a large skeletal defect with a vascularized fibular graft. Radiographic studies were adequate for assessing sequential changes in 21 patients. Hypertrophy was evaluated by serial measurements of the periosteal and endosteal dimensions and was assessed with respect to age, sex, duration and location of the graft, the indication for reconstruction, and fixation apparatus. RESULTS: Hypertrophy of vascularized bone grafts is not rare. Among 21 vascularized fibular grafts, a measurable degree of hypertrophy was found in eight. Hypertrophy was caused by periosteal formation of new bone. The amount of hypertrophy could be considerable; in some cases it reached 2 cm of new cortical bone, resulting in an unusual radiographic appearance of marked cortical thickening. The amount of hypertrophy was greatest in young males, but was independent of diagnosis and site, and could be seen even in grafts bridged by metallic plates. CONCLUSION: Hypertrophy of vascularized bone grafts is a relatively frequent finding and has distinctive radiographic features. It is unclear why hypertrophy occurs to a much greater extent in some grafts than in others.

Adolescent↗

Risk reduction following regression of cardiac hypertrophy.

Cardiac hypertrophy in essential hypertension is documented to be an independent risk factor for congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease and cardiac sudden death. Reduction of left ventricular hypertrophy therefore emerged as a new challenge of antihypertensive treatment. Sympatholytic agents, calcium entry blockers, and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors have been found to reduce left ventricular hypertrophy, whereas vasodilators (and most likely also diuretics) are unable to reduce left ventricular mass despite good control of arterial hypertension. Several studies indicated that reduction of left ventricular hypertrophy is not detrimental to cardiac pump function: systolic and diastolic function were found to be maintained at rest and during exposure to increased pressure load. In hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy ventricular arrhythmias have been reported to be increased and to be the pathophysiological link for the increased risk of cardiac sudden death. Reduction of cardiac hypertrophy was found to be accompanied by a reduction of prevalence and severity of ventricular arrhythmias if treated with betablockers, calcium entry blockers or converting enzyme inhibitors. Whether reduction of cardiac hypertrophy indeed decreases the cardiovascular risk attributed to left ventricular hypertrophy is unknown at present, although clinical studies support such a viewpoint.

Antihypertensive Agents↗

[Calcineurin inhibitor attenuates the development and induces the regression of cardiac hypertrophy in rats with salt-sensitive hypertension].

BACKGROUND: It remains unclear how hemodynamic overload induces cardiac hypertrophy. Recently, activation of calcium-dependent phosphatase, calcineurin, has been elucidated to induce cardiac hypertrophy. In the present study, we examined the role of calcineurin in load-induced cardiac hypertrophy by using Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats, which develop both pressure and volume overload when fed a high salt diet. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the DS rat heart, the activity of calcineurin was increased and cardiac hypertrophy was induced by high salt diet. Treatment of DS rats with the calcineurin inhibitor FK506 (0.1 or 0.01 mg/kg every second day) from the age of 6 weeks to 12 weeks inhibited the activation of calcineurin in the heart in a dose-dependent manner and attenuated the development of load-induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis without change of hemodynamic parameters. Additionally, treatment with 0.1 mg/kg every second day but not with 0.01 mg/kg every second day of FK506 from the age of 12 weeks to 16 weeks induced regression of cardiac hypertrophy in DS rats. Load-induced reprogramming of gene expression was also suppressed by the FK506 treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that calcineurin is involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy in rats with salt-sensitive hypertension and that inhibition of calcineurin could induce regression of cardiac hypertrophy.

Animals↗

Calcineurin inhibitor attenuates cardiac hypertrophy due to energy metabolic disorder.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that calcineurin may play a critical role in the signalling of cardiac hypertrophy in various experimental models. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate whether calcineurin is involved in cardiac hypertrophy due to energy metabolic disorder by using the juvenile visceral steatosis (JVS) mouse, which is a murine model of systemic carnitine deficiency. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cardiac hypertrophy in JVS mice (C3H strain) progresses gradually after birth and is present until eight weeks of age. In this study, calcineurin activity in JVS mice increased significantly at four weeks of age (the developing stage of cardiac hypertrophy) compared with age-matched control mice. Treatment with calcineurin inhibitor FK506 (0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg/day) from the age of four to eight weeks attenuated cardiac hypertrophy without beneficially affecting cardiac function. Gene expression, accompanied by cardiac hypertrophy, was also suppressed by the FK506 treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The activation of calcineurin is involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy in the JVS mouse, and calcineurin inhibition may be useful for reducing cardiac hypertrophy.

Animals↗