The relationship between hepatocyte growth factor and myocardial fibrosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the relationship between hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and myocardial fibrosis in the process of hypertension, and the therapeutic effect of losartan, an angiotension Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ ) receptor antagonist. Methods Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)were used as experimental model of myocardial fibrosis, and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were selected as control group. The therapeutic group was given losartan. Cardiac collagen was detected by Masson staining and HGF was determined by immunohistochemistry. All the pictures were analysed by Leica Qwin image disposal and analysis system. Results The cardiac collagen volume fraction (CVF) in SHR increased with aging and had a negative correlation with myocardium HGF. Losartan therapy increased the myocardium HGF expression but decreased the CVF. Conclusions Myocardium HGF may play a robe in hypertensive myocardial fibrosis due to its anti-fibotic effect reducing. Ang 1I AT1 receptor antagonist attenuates cardiac fibrosis by increasing myocardium HGF expression.