Effect of cardiac lymph flow obstruction on cardiac collagen synthesis and interstitial fibrosis.

The effect of chronic cardiac lymphatic obstruction on the myocardial synthesis of collagen type I and III was investigated in a rabbit model. In the lymphatic obstruction group (n=16), plasma C-terminal propeptide type I procollagen (PICP) and N-terminal propeptide type III procollagen (PIIINP) were elevated at 7, 14 and 30 days after the operation (p<0.05). The elevated PICP and PIIINP returned to the pre-operation values 60 days after the operation. The myocardial expression of collagen type I and III mRNA were also enhanced in the lymphatic flow obstruction group. Plasma PICP, PIIINP and myocardial collagen type I and III mRNA remained unchanged in the control group (n=16). We concluded that chronic obstruction of cardiac lymph flow leads to enhanced myocardial collagen synthesis in rabbits. The enhanced collagen synthesis starts within seven days after lymphatic obstruction and subsides after 60 days.