Related Experiment Videos

Nebivolol prevents myocardial fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction in salt-loaded spontaneously hypertensive rats

Dinko Susic1, Hassan Fares, Edward D Frohlich

  • 1Hypertension Research Laboratory, Institute of Translational Research, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA 70121, USA. dsusic@ochsner.org

Journal of the American Society of Hypertension : JASH
|September 22, 2012
PubMed

Insights

A high-salt diet causes heart problems in rats, but nebivolol treatment improved cardiac function and reduced fibrosis. These findings suggest nebivolol may benefit patients with hypertension and diastolic dysfunction.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • High-salt (HS) diet induces myocardial fibrosis, left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, and renal issues in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).
  • Renin-angiotensin system blockade previously mitigated these adverse effects of HS.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficacy of nebivolol in ameliorating HS-induced cardiac damage in SHR.
  • To determine if nebivolol's effects are dependent on arterial pressure reduction.

Main Methods:

  • Eight-week-old male SHR were fed a regular or HS diet for 8 weeks.
  • Treatment groups received placebo or nebivolol (oral or osmotic minipump).
  • Cardiac mass, LV fibrosis (hydroxyproline), arterial pressure, myocardial ischemia, and LV diastolic function were assessed.

Main Results:

  • HS significantly increased cardiac mass, LV fibrosis, arterial pressure, and induced myocardial ischemia and LV diastolic dysfunction.
  • Nebivolol treatment ameliorated these adverse effects, reducing LV mass and fibrosis, and improving coronary hemodynamics and function.
  • Nebivolol's beneficial effects on the heart were independent of changes in arterial pressure.

Conclusions:

  • Nebivolol effectively counteracts high-salt diet-induced cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis in SHR.
  • These findings support nebivolol as a potential therapeutic agent for hypertensive patients with diastolic dysfunction and preserved ejection fraction.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers01:22

Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers

β-adrenergic antagonists, commonly known as β-blockers, block the effects of sympathetic neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (ADR). They have several beneficial effects in heart failure treatment. They reduce heart rate, the force of contraction, and cardiac muscle relaxation. They also slow the atrial-ventricular conduction rate and raise the threshold for arrhythmias. The concentration of β-blockers determines their effects on bronchodilation, vasodilation, and...
Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System

The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
Heart Failure Drugs: Diuretics01:22

Heart Failure Drugs: Diuretics

Heart failure and kidney perfusion are interconnected in a complex way. Reduced renal perfusion and venous congestion are two significant factors that contribute to renal dysfunction in heart failure. The kidneys, primarily responsible for fluid balance in the body, are adversely affected due to compromised cardiac output and increased venous pressure. In response to reduced renal perfusion, the kidneys activate neurohumoral mechanisms to restore balance. However, these mechanisms can be...
Heart Failure V: Medical Management01:30

Heart Failure V: Medical Management

Medical Management of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)The primary goals of therapy for patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) include:Relieving symptomsOptimizing volume statusSupporting oxygenation and ventilationMaintaining cardiac output (CO) and end-organ perfusionIdentifying and addressing the cause of ADHFPreventing complicationsProviding patient education on factors precipitating HF exacerbationPlanning for dischargeOngoing monitoring and assessment...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Vasodilators01:23

Antihypertensive Drugs: Vasodilators

Vasodilators, primarily affecting the smooth muscles within arterial and venous walls, are commonly used for hypertension treatment. Medications such as minoxidil and hydralazine primarily target arteries and arterioles, while sodium nitroprusside acts on arterioles and venules. Minoxidil, functioning as a prodrug, is metabolized by hepatic sulfotransferase into its active form, minoxidil sulfate, after oral administration. This metabolite binds to the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) component of...