Effect of anti-oxidant treatment on hyperhomocysteinemia-induced myocardial fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction.
BACKGROUND
Recent studies demonstrate that hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for heart failure. Oxidant stress is a major mediator of the pathogenic effects of hyperhomocysteinemia.


METHODS
We utilized a rat model of diet-induced hyperhomocysteinemia to examine whether treatment with an anti-oxidant vitamin (C&E) combination will prevent hyperhomocysteinemia-induced myocardial fibrosis.


RESULTS
Dietary anti-oxidant therapy attenuated hyperhomocysteinemia-induced increases in myocardial oxidant stress and myocardial fibrosis, and diastolic dysfunction.


CONCLUSIONS
Hyperhomocysteinemia acts via oxidant stress to promote myocardial fibrosis and dysfunction. Dietary anti-oxidant therapy could be an important preventive and therapeutic strategy in diastolic heart failure.
Joseph
Jacob
J
Department of Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, Massachusetts, USA.
Joseph
Lija
L
Devi
Sulochana
S
Kennedy
Richard H
RH
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D003971:Diastole / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004719:Endomyocardial Fibrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006321:Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000975:Antioxidants; D006710:Homocysteine; D014810:Vitamin E; D003094:Collagen; D001205:Ascorbic Acid