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Hepatocyte growth factor intervention to reduce myocardial injury and improve cardiac function on diabetic myocardial
Zaiyong Zhang1, Cheng Long2, Yufeng Guan3
1Department of Cardiology, Panyu Central Hospital; Cardiovascular Institute of Panyu District; School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou. Dr_zaiyong@126.com.
Insights
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) treatment reduced heart cell apoptosis and improved cardiac function in diabetic rats with myocardial infarction. This effect was mediated by the HGF/c-Met signaling pathway.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Molecular Biology
- Diabetology
Background:
- Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) poses a significant threat to health and quality of life.
- Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) accumulates in ischemic myocardium during experimental ischemia/reperfusion and permanent coronary artery occlusion.
- The role of HGF in diabetic myocardial infarction requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of HGF on myocardial apoptosis, ventricular remodeling, and cardiac function in diabetic rats after myocardial infarction (MI).
- To explore the involvement of the HGF/c-Met signaling pathway in mediating these effects.
Main Methods:
- Induction of myocardial infarction in diabetic rat models.
- Administration of HGF to assess its impact on cardiac parameters.
- Measurement of left ventricular (LVWI) and right ventricular (RVWI) work indices, myocardial apoptotic index, and expression of HGF and c-Met at mRNA and protein levels.
Main Results:
- Myocardial infarction significantly increased LVWI, RVWI, and myocardial apoptosis, while up-regulating HGF and c-Met expression.
- HGF treatment reduced LVWI, RVWI, and myocardial apoptosis in MI rats.
- HGF administration enhanced myocardial cell viability and increased the expression of HGF and c-Met.
Conclusions:
- HGF significantly attenuates myocardial apoptosis after AMI in diabetic rats.
- HGF treatment improves cardiac function in diabetic rats with myocardial infarction.
- The beneficial effects of HGF are mediated by enhancing the activation of the HGF/c-Met signaling pathway.
Abstract:
Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is recognized to be a severe threat to people's health conditions and life quality. The accumulation of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in ischemic myocardium has been observed in both processes of experimental ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) and permanent coronary artery occlusion. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of HGF on myocardial cell apoptosis, ventricular remodeling and cardiac function after myocardial infarction (MI) in diabetic rats, and to explore whether the effect is mediated by HGF/c-Met signaling pathway. MI significantly increases LVWI and RVWI and myocardial apoptotic index, and up-regulates the expression of HGF and c-Met at mRNA and protein levels in MI control group. The LVWI and RVWI, and myocardial apoptosis were reduced by treatment with HGF, which also increased the myocardial cell viability and the expression of HGF and c-Met. In summary, HGF significantly attenuates myocardial apoptosis and improves cardiac function after AMI in diabetic rats by further enhancing the activation of HGF/c-Met pathway.

