Cardiac dysfunction in HgCl2-induced nephrotic syndrome.

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2010

Authors

Mónica Moreira-Rodrigues (Author) Other; Henriques-Coelho, T (Author) FMUP; C Moura (Author) Other; F Vasques-Novoa (Author) Other; Benedita Sampaio-Maia (Author) FMDUP; Pestana M (Author) FMUP; Leite-Moreira AF (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Experimental Biology and Medicine

Vol. 235 No. 392-400

ISSN: 1535-3702

Publisher: SAGE

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 2 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 2 Citations

Pubmed / Medline

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Biological sciences

CORDIS: Health sciences > Medical sciences > Medicine > Cardiology ; Health sciences > Medical sciences > Medicine > Nephrology

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-8MG

Abstract (EN): The experimental model of HgCl2 injection is characterized by a systemic autoimmune disease which leads to the development of nephrotic syndrome (NS). NS seems to be accompanied by cardiovascular alterations, since patients with NS present an increased incidence in cardiac disease. The aim of our work was to study the effects of HgCl2-induced NS on myocardial function and morphometry. Normotensive Brown – Norway rats were injected with HgCl2 (1 mg/kg, HgCl2group; n 1⁄4 6, sc) or the vehicle (control group; n 1⁄4 6, sc) on days 0, 2, 4, 7, 9 and 11. The animals were placed in metabolic cages for evaluation of urinary excretion of noradrenaline, sodium, total proteins, albumin and creatinine. Fourteen and 21d after the first HgCl2 injection, left ventricle (LV) hemodynamics was evaluated through pressure micromanometers in basal and isovolumetric heartbeats. The heart and gastrocnemius muscle weights and tibial length were also examined. In an additional group of animals cardiac dimensions and ejection fraction were assessed by echocardiography and LV apoptosis and fibrosis were studied. HgCl2-injected rats presented proteinuria, albuminuria, hyperlipidemia, anemia, sodium retention and ascites at day 14. These alterations were accompanied by LV hemodynamic changes only in isovolumetric heartbeats. Similarly, on day 21, HgCl2-injected rats presented proteinuria, albuminuria, hyperlipidemia, anemia, but no sodium retention nor ascites. These animals presented LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction in both basal and isovolumetric heartbeats, as well as cardiac atrophy, LV fibrosis and an increase in myocyte apoptosis. In conclusion, HgCl2-induced NS is accompanied by LV dysfunction and can be a promising model for studying the link between NS and cardiac disease.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific