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Cardiac Fas-dependent and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in ovariectomized rats

Shin-Da Lee1, Wei-Wen Kuo, Ying-Jui Ho

  • 1Department of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.

Maturitas
|October 28, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Ovariectomy in rats activates cardiac apoptosis via both Fas-dependent and mitochondria-dependent pathways. This finding may explain heart failure development in post-menopausal women.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Cellular Biology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Limited data exists on cardiac apoptosis in menopausal women or post-oophorectomy.
  • Ovariectomy significantly impacts cardiac function and structure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the activation of cardiac Fas-dependent (Type I) and mitochondria-dependent (Type II) apoptotic pathways in ovariectomized rats.

Main Methods:

  • Bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) was performed on female Wistar rats, with a sham-operated group (Sham) as control.
  • Cardiac characteristics, myocardial architecture, and apoptotic pathways were assessed using histopathology, Western blotting, RT-PCR, and TUNEL assays.

Main Results:

  • OVX rats exhibited increased heart and left ventricular weight, abnormal myocardial architecture, fibrosis, and elevated TUNEL-positive cells.
  • Key components of both Fas-dependent (e.g., activated caspase 8) and mitochondria-dependent (e.g., activated caspase 9) apoptotic pathways were significantly upregulated in OVX hearts.

Conclusions:

  • The absence of ovaries activates cardiac apoptotic pathways, suggesting a potential mechanism for heart failure in post-menopausal women.

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