Effect of early versus late AT(1) receptor blockade with losartan on postmyocardial infarction ventricular remodeling in rabbits.

To characterize the temporal activation of the renin-angiotensin system after myocardial infarction (MI) in rabbits, we examined cardiac ANG II type 1 receptor (AT(1)R) expression and ANG II levels from 3 h to 35 days. The effects of losartan (12.5 mg.

Ischemia and apoptosis in an animal model of permanent infarct-related artery occlusion.

Apoptosis is a pathologic feature of cardiomyocytes in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and heart failure. The temporal course of apoptosis in the peri-infarct area in the weeks following an AMI is still uncompletely defined. In order to study the time course of apoptosis after AMI, 16 rabbits underwent left coronary artery ligation and were sacrificed at 16, 26, 35, and 56 days after surgery.

Effects of low-calcium reperfusion and adenosine on diastolic behavior during the transitory systolic overshoot of the stunned myocardium in the rabbit.

The aims of the present study were to determine whether the transitory systolic overshoot (TSO) that occurs in the early reperfusion (R) of the stunned myocardium is accompanied by diastolic alterations, and to determine whether the R with low Ca2+ Krebs-Henseleit's solution or with adenosine modifies these alterations. Isolated-isovolumic rabbit hearts were divided in 3 groups (G). G1 (n = 11) was perfused with Krebs-Henseleit's solution, subjected to 15 min of global ischemia and 30 min R; G2 (n = 10) was reperfused during the first 10 min with Krebs-Henseleit's solution [Ca2+] = 1 mmol/L, which was increased in the perfusate to 1.

Myocardial expression of survivin, an apoptosis inhibitor, in aging and heart failure. An experimental study in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

Background: Apoptosis plays a major role in the transition to heart failure (HF) in systemic hypertension although the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between apoptosis, left ventricular remodeling, heart failure and the myocyte expression of survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis.

Methods: Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were used as a model of hypertensive cardiopathy, and Wistar Kyoto Stars rats (WKY) were used as controls.

Effects of the early administration of losartan on the functional and morphological aspects of postmyocardial infarction ventricular remodeling in rabbits.

Background: The effects of losartan (Los) on ventricular remodeling (VR) remain controversial. The objective was to determine whether early administration of Los to rabbits with myocardial infarction (MI) modifies VR.

Methods: New Zealand rabbits underwent left coronary artery ligation.

[Effects of the early administration of losartan on ventricular remodeling in rabbits with experimental myocardial infarction].

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of early administration of losartan on ventricular remodelling (VR) in rabbits with experimental myocardial infarction (MI). New Zealand rabbits underwent left coronary artery ligation. Four groups were analyzed: sham (G1; n = 13), MI (G2; n = 13), sham + Los (G3; n = 13) and MI + Los (G4; n = 13).