Clinical & Experimental Cardiology
Open Access

Abstract

Induction of Hypoxia Inducible Factor Rather than Modulation of Collagen Metabolism Improves Cardiac Function and Reduces Left Ventricular Hypertrophy after Aortocaval Shunt in Rats

Sebastian Philipp, Jens Fielitz, Wanja M. Bernhardt, Jan Steffen Jürgensen, Evelyn Schuch, Kai-Uwe Eckardt, Vera Regitz-Zagrosek and Roland Willenbrock

Introduction: Matrix reorganization and collagen formation have been suggested to be responsible for cardiac remodeling. Recently, Hypoxia Inducible Factors (HIF) has been shown to be also involved. To differentiate the pathogenesis of cardiac remodeling we used two different prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4H) inhibitors, FG 0041 known for its potential in reducing collagen formation, FG 2216 for its capability to induce HIF. This study was performed to analyze whether the beneficial effects of P4-HI are mediated by induction of HIF or by effects on collagen metabolism. Methods: 8-week-old Wistar rats either had sham operations (n=14) or received Aortocaval Shunt (ACS). From day 2 rats received P4-HI (n=10 for each P4-HI) or vehicle (n=15) by oral gavage. Echocardiography was performed 28 days after ACS; hemodynamic measurements were done after 30 days. Activity of the metalloproteinase 2 and its inhibitor (TIMP), mRNA levels of CTGF, TGFß1, ITGß1 and Collagen I and III protein were measured. Results: After 30 days both HIF was induced in ACS. Treatment with FG 2216 led to an increase of HIF after 30 days compared to FG 0041 and vehicle. Only FG 2216 prevented left ventricular end-diastolic (7.9 mm vs. 9.8 mm; p<0.001) and end-systolic (4.1 vs. 6.0 mm, p<0.001) dilatation and improved left ventricular ejection fraction (85% vs. 74%, p<0.05). Heart weight (1416 ± 71 vs. 1871 ± 51 mg, p<0.001) and lung weight, as a marker for heart failure, (1958 ± 102 mg vs. 2276 ± 105 mg, p<0.05) were lower in the group receiving FG 2216. Collagen protein and metalloproteinase activity accompanying ACS were significantly decreased by FG 0041, but not by FG 2216. Conclusion: Induction of HIF improves cardiac function and reduces cardiac hypertrophy independent of changes in mRNA, collagen protein or metalloproteinase activity in this model of hypertrophy. Thus FG 2216 affects remodeling by directly targeting cardiomyocytes and has negligible effect on collagen production or extracellular matrix composition.