Stabilization of hypoxia inducible factor rather than modulation of collagen metabolism improves cardiac function after acute myocardial infarction in rats.

Unlabelled: Prolyl hydroxylase domain-containing enzymes (PHD) hydroxylate a proline residue that controls the degradation of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF). Hypoxia inhibits this hydroxylation thus increasing HIF levels. HIF is upregulated in ischemic tissues, growing tumors and in nonischemic, mechanically stressed myocardium.