Supplementing exposure to hypoxia with a copper depleted diet does not exacerbate right ventricular remodeling in mice

E.M. Poels, N. Bitsch, J. M. Slenter, M.E. Kooi, C.C. de Theije, L.J. De Windt, V.P. van Empel, P.A. da Costa Martins*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension and subsequent right ventricular (RV) failure are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Prognosis is determined by occurrence of RV failure. Currently, adequate treatment for RV failure is lacking. Further research into the molecular basis for the development of RV failure as well as the development of better murine models of RV failure are therefore imperative. We hypothesize that adding a low-copper diet to chronic hypoxia in mice reinforces their individual effect and that the combination of mild pulmonary vascular remodeling and capillary rarefaction, induces RV failure. METHODS: Six week old mice were subjected to normoxia (N; 21% O2) or hypoxia (H; 10% O2) during a period of 8 weeks and received either a normal diet (Cu+) or a copper depleted diet (Cu-). Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography and MRI analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Here, we characterized a mouse model of chronic hypoxia combined with a copper depleted diet and demonstrate that eight weeks of chronic hypoxia (10%) is sufficient to induce RV hypertrophy and subsequent RV failure. Addition of a low copper diet to hypoxia did not have any further deleterious effects on right ventricular remodeling.
Original languageEnglish
Article number92983
Number of pages7
JournalPLOS ONE
Volume9
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Apr 2014

Keywords

  • PULMONARY ARTERIAL-HYPERTENSION
  • HEART-FAILURE
  • CARDIAC-HYPERTROPHY
  • PRESSURE-OVERLOAD
  • NULL MICE
  • DEFICIENT
  • RATS
  • RESPONSES
  • CARDIOMYOPATHY
  • TRANSITION

Cite this