RESUMO
AIM: To investigate the role of SMADs singal pathway in rat myocardial hypertrophy. METHODS: The rat model of myocardial hypertrophy was produced by constriction of the abdominal aorta. The wet left vertricular/body weight ratio (LVMI) was measured. The expression of TGF-beta l and Smad 2, 3, 7 mRNA were assessed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The LVMI and the expression of TGF-beta l and Smad 2, 3, 7 mRNA in cardiomyothy were increased in 3 day after the operation and continued at last 4 weeks. The peak expression of TGF-beta l and Smad 2, 3, 7 mRNA was in 2 weeks after operation. The expression of Smad 7 was increased in 3 days after operation, but the peak was in 1 week after operation, then decreased. CONCLUSION: The signal protein Smad 2, 3, 7 are involved in the progress of rat myocardial hypertrophy produced by constriction of abdominal aorta. [