ABSTRACT
The limited possibilities of determining myocardial morphological changes in the clinic make it necessary to investigate the effects of intermittent hypobaric hypoxia in an experiment setting. OBJECTIVE: To reveal the peculiarities of changes in the markers of myocardial remodeling in experimental hypobaric hypoxia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The investigation was conducted on 26 mature male Wistar rats weighing 220-310 g, which were divided into 3 groups: 1) 6 intact animals; 2) 10 rats that were exposed to 30-day simulated hypobaric hypoxia without correction; 3) 10 rats that were given once-daily intraperitoneal injections of cytoflavin solution at a rate of 0.5 ml/100 g of body weight for 30 days before immersion in a hypobaric chamber. RESULTS: The early stages of myocardial remodeling in hypobaric hypoxia were found to be characterized by structural re-systematization of the components of the normal ventricular wall, which was manifested by cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and ischemia; circulatory disorders; fibroblast proliferation that dramatically enhances the extracellular expression of protein matrix, which can lead to the formation of fibrous tissue and irreversible myocardial dysfunction. Elevated matrix metalloproteinase levels are evidence for collagen degradation and cardiac remodeling. In the authors' opinion, the cyto- and angioprotective effects of cytoflavin in rats treated with the latter used in combination therapy are associated with the composition of the drug, the active components of which have mutually potentiating effects, are inducers of the major metabolic pathways in the cells and are also activators of key energy-generating processes. CONCLUSION: Identification of the molecular mechanisms of myocardial remodeling is of great practical importance. This enables remodeling markers to be considered as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of hypoxia-induced myocardial injury.
