title: A Model of Left Ventricular Dysfunction Complicated by CAWS Arteritis in DBA/2 Mice.
abstract: It was reported previously that a Candida albicans water-soluble fraction (CAWS), including a mannoprotein and β-glucan complex, has strong potency in inducing fatal necrotizing arteritis in DBA/2 mice. In this study, histopathological changes and cardiac function were investigated in this system. One mg/day of CAWS was given to DBA/2 mice via peritoneal injection for five days. The CAWS-treated DBA/2 mice were induced aortitis and died at an incidence of 100% within several weeks. Histological findings included stenosis in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) and severe inflammatory changes of the aortic valve with fibrinoid necrosis. Cardiomegaly was observed and heart weight increased 1.62 fold (P < 0.01). Echocardiography revealed a severe reduction in contractility and dilatation of the cavity in the left ventricle (LV): LV fractional shortening (LVFS) decreased from 71% to 38% (P < 0.01), and the LV end-diastolic diameter (LVDd) increased from 2.21 mm to 3.26 mm (P < 0.01). The titer of BNP mRNA increased in the CAWS-treated group. Severe inflammatory changes resulting from CAWS brought about lethal LV dysfunction by aortic valve deformation with LVOT stenosis. This system is proposed as an easy and useful experimental model of heart failure because CAWS arteritis can be induced by CAWS injection alone.
authors: Department of Pharmacy, Nagano Red Cross Hospital, 5-22-1 Wakasato, Nagano, Nagano 380-8582, Japan.
authors: Naoto
authors: N
authors: Hirata
authors: Ken-Ichi
authors: K
authors: Ishibashi
authors: Tatsuya
authors: T
authors: Usui
authors: Jiro
authors: J
authors: Yoshioka
authors: Satoru
authors: S
authors: Hata
authors: Yoshiyuki
authors: Y
authors: Adachi
authors: Noriko
authors: N
authors: Nagi-Miura
authors: Shin
authors: S
authors: Ohta
authors: Naohito
authors: N
authors: Ohno