Treatment with spironolactone for 24 weeks decreases the level of matrix metalloproteinases and improves cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure of ischemic etiology.
BACKGROUND
The myocardial extracellular matrix is believed to be central to the remodelling that takes place following myocardial infarction. The contribution of markers of collagen metabolism to this process remains less well understood. The present study examined the contribution of some of the markers of collagen metabolism in cardiac remodelling, as well as the effect of spironolactone on the remodelling process.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the pathological contribution of markers of collagen metabolism, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), type I collagen carboxyterminal telopeptide (ICTP) and procollagen type I carboxyterminal propeptide (PICP), in cardiac remodelling following ischemic cardiomyopathy, and to examine the pharmacoregulatory effects of spironolactone on collagen metabolism.


METHODS
Eighty-six consecutive patients (62 men and 24 women) with chronic heart failure of ischemic etiology (patient group) and 25 age-matched controls were enrolled in the study. The subjects in the patient group were randomly assigned into a spironolactone or nonspironolactone group. Plasma levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1, ICTP and PICP were measured using ELISA and radioimmunoassay techniques. Furthermore, left ventricular diastolic diameter and ejection fraction were assessed using two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography.


RESULTS
The plasma concentrations of MMP-9, TIMP-1 and the MMP-9 to TIMP-1 ratio, as well as ICTP, were significantly increased in the patient group. The PICP to ICTP ratio in the patient group was significantly lower than that in the age-matched control subjects. After a follow-up period of 24 weeks, the PICP to ICTP ratio increased, and MMP-9, TIMP-1 and the MMP-9 to TIMP-1 ratio decreased in the spironolactone subgroup.


CONCLUSIONS
Biomarkers of collagen degradation were elevated and correlated with depressed heart function; spironolactone may partially reverse the dysregulation in collagen metabolism.
Li
M J
MJ
Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, People's of Republic of China. mingjiangli@yahoo.com.cn
Huang
C X
CX
Okello
E
E
Yanhong
T
T
Mohamed
S
S
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003971:Diastole / Q000187:drug effects; D004232:Diuretics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004452:Echocardiography; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology; D013148:Spironolactone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D013599:Systole; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004232:Diuretics; D013148:Spironolactone; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases