Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Cardiac Pressure-Volume Loop Analysis Using Conductance Catheters in Mice
Published on: September 17, 2015
[Effect of losartan on sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ handing proteins in heart failure rabbit]
Yan Yao1, Cong-xin Huang, Gao Chen
1Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China.
Objective:
To investigate the effects of losartan on mRNA expression of myocardial sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium handling proteins (SERCA2, RyR2 and PLB) and the role of which in prevention of chronic heart failure in rabbit.
Methods:
After chronic heart failure was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending artery in rabbits, the animals were treated with losartan. At 8 weeks after ligation, left ventricular function, hemodynamic parameters, and SERCA2, RyR2, PLB mRNA expressions were observed.
Results:
Compared with the control group (group C), LVEDP in the infarcted group (group I) increased (P < 0.01), while +dp/dt(max) and -dp/dt(max) decreased significantly (P < 0.01). LVEDP was lower but +dp/dt(max) and -dp/dt(max) significantly higher in the losartan treated group (group L) than those in group I (P < 0.05). SERCA2, RyR2, and PLB mRNA expressions in group I were remarkably lower than those in group L (P < 0.01) and group C (P < 0.01), respectively.
Conclusion:
Losartan can improve cardiac function, probably owing to its upregulating mRNA expressions of myocardial sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) handling proteins (RyR2, SERCA2 and PLB) in the prevention of heart failure.
Insights
Losartan treatment improved cardiac function in rabbits with heart failure. This effect is likely due to increased expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium handling proteins (SERCA2, RyR2, PLB).
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a significant clinical challenge.
- Calcium handling proteins in the sarcoplasmic reticulum play a crucial role in cardiac contractility.
- Dysregulation of these proteins contributes to the progression of heart failure.
Purpose:
- To investigate the impact of losartan on mRNA expression of myocardial sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium handling proteins (SERCA2, RyR2, and PLB).
- To determine the role of these proteins in the prevention of chronic heart failure in a rabbit model.
Summary:
- Rabbits with experimentally induced heart failure were treated with losartan.
- Left ventricular function and hemodynamic parameters were assessed.
- mRNA expression levels of SERCA2, RyR2, and PLB were measured and compared between groups.
Impact:
- Losartan treatment significantly improved cardiac function, indicated by reduced LVEDP and increased +dp/dt(max) and -dp/dt(max).
- Losartan upregulated the mRNA expression of SERCA2, RyR2, and PLB in the hearts of rabbits with heart failure.
- These findings suggest a potential therapeutic mechanism for losartan in preventing or treating heart failure through modulation of calcium handling proteins.
More Related Videos
11:00Assessment of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Reserve and Intracellular Diastolic Calcium Removal in Isolated Ventricular Cardiomyocytes
Published on: September 18, 2017
09:26Optical Mapping of Intra-Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ and Transmembrane Potential in the Langendorff-perfused Rabbit Heart
Published on: September 10, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System
Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
Heart Failure Drugs: Diuretics
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology
Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
Heart Failure V: Medical Management