| Literature DB >> 11309531 |
Abstract
Congestive heart failure may be produced by a variety of disorders, including dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease. We have developed experimental models of these diseases, and found gene expressions of proinflammatory cytokines increased in the hearts of these animals. Various drugs for heart failure modulate the production of cytokines in experimental models of heart failure. Pimobendan, an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase III prolonged survival, attenuated inflammatory lesions, and decreased the production of cytokines and nitric oxide. Recent studies have shown that these inhibitory effects are due to inhibition of activation of NF-kappaB. In contrast, digitalis increased the production of cytokines and exacerbated myocarditis. Interleukin-10 prolonged survival, attenuated myocardial injury, and appears promising as a treatment of heart failure due to viral myocarditis. Endothelin-1 plays an important pathophysiological role in heart failure, and treatment with an endothelin antagonist had a cardioprotective effect in experimental models of heart failure.Entities:
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Year: 2001 PMID: 11309531 DOI: 10.1023/a:1011457910659
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Heart Fail Rev ISSN: 1382-4147 Impact factor: 4.214