ISSN:
1433-8580
Keywords:
Hypoxia
;
Left ventricle
;
Connective metabolism
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The collagen content (measured as myocardial concentration of hydroxyproline) and dry weight (expressed as ventricle weight to body weight ratio) were determined in the left ventricle of male Sprague-Dawley rats (200–220 g b.wt.) exposed to a simulated altitude of 7,000 m for 18 h a day for 10 days in a hypobaric chamber. Hypoxia resulted in a significant increase (P〈0.001) in the mass of the left ventricle with a concomitant significantly increased collagen concentration (P〈0.001). The data indicate that hypoxia effects the synthesis of a significant amount of connective tissue in the left ventricle, which is the ventricle not exposed to pressure load. These results may be related to clinical, hemodynamic, and pathologic observations showing the left ventricular dysfunction in patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency. Since the amount of collagen in the left ventricle might interfere with ventricular contractile function, it is suggested that the hypoxia in these patients could affect the left ventricular myocardium via a direct action on the connective metabolism.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01851776
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