Pressure overload induced right ventricular remodeling is not attenuated by the anti-fibrotic agent pirfenidone.

ABSTRACT: Cardiac fibrosis contributes to the development of heart failure in pulmonary hypertension. We aimed to assess the development of fibrosis and the effects of treatment with the anti-fibrotic agent pirfenidone in pressure overload induced right ventricular (RV) failure. Wistar rat weanlings were randomized to pulmonary trunk banding (PTB) or sham surgery. One week after the procedure, PTB rats were randomized into two groups with either six weeks on standard chow or treatment with pirfenidone mixed in chow (700 mg/kg/day). RV hemodynamic effects were evaluated by echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and pressure-volume measurements. Sections from the isolated RV, left ventricle, and septum were sampled systematically; stereological point grids and the nucleator were u

SUBMITTER: Andersen S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6540527 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr-Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature