[Experimental cardiomyopathy and the sympathetic-adrenal system]

Along with viral-immunological theory of cardiomyopathy development there is also an opinion on a possible role of neurohumoral regulatory disturbances in this process. Cardiomyopathy in ACB rats was induced by immunization of animals with hemolytic streptococci supplemented by 20% myocardial homogenate. The animals developed hypertrophy of all heart compartments. The reduction in dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline levels in the myocardium and a rise in DOPA content have been observed. A significant decrease in labelled noradrenaline uptake by the atria and right ventricle was noted. Changes in catecholamine level in the heart and reduced reversed noradrenaline uptake are indicative of an active role of the sympathetic-adrenal system in the mechanisms of cardiomyopathy development.