BACKGROUND: Cardiopathies are high prevalence conditions. Among them, rheumatic carditis is of high relevance in developing countries. Left cardiac chamber changes are associated to endothelial dysfunction and ET-1 levels increase. Pulmonary circulation is then affected, and not seldom leading to pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, the presence of ET-1 and its receptors in the mitral valve itself--promoting pulmonary vascular changes, with increased rheumatic valvular deformation--has not been discussed in the literature. OBJECTIVE: To determine the expression of endothelin gene and its receptors in rheumatic mitral valves through techniques of molecular genetics. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients submitted to mitral valve replacement had their valvular tissue examined to determine the presence of ET-1 genes and their A and B receptors. Histological and molecular analysis of the valves was performed (divided into M1, M2 and M3 fragments), with patients' clinical and epidemiological data collected. Patients were divided into 3 groups (mitral valvopathy, mitroaortic valvopathy, and reoperation patients). RESULTS: The study showed endothelin-1 gene expression in 40.7% specimens and A receptor in all samples; receptor gene B had lower expression (22.2%). CONCLUSION: All patients showed A receptor gene expression. No statistically significant difference was observed in regard to condition severity, expressed according to functional class, and subgroups (mitral valvopathy, mitroaortic valvopathy, and reoperation patients).
BACKGROUND:Cardiopathies are high prevalence conditions. Among them, rheumatic carditis is of high relevance in developing countries. Left cardiac chamber changes are associated to endothelial dysfunction and ET-1 levels increase. Pulmonary circulation is then affected, and not seldom leading to pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, the presence of ET-1 and its receptors in the mitral valve itself--promoting pulmonary vascular changes, with increased rheumatic valvular deformation--has not been discussed in the literature. OBJECTIVE: To determine the expression of endothelin gene and its receptors in rheumatic mitral valves through techniques of molecular genetics. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients submitted to mitral valve replacement had their valvular tissue examined to determine the presence of ET-1 genes and their A and B receptors. Histological and molecular analysis of the valves was performed (divided into M1, M2 and M3 fragments), with patients' clinical and epidemiological data collected. Patients were divided into 3 groups (mitral valvopathy, mitroaortic valvopathy, and reoperation patients). RESULTS: The study showed endothelin-1 gene expression in 40.7% specimens and A receptor in all samples; receptor gene B had lower expression (22.2%). CONCLUSION: All patients showed A receptor gene expression. No statistically significant difference was observed in regard to condition severity, expressed according to functional class, and subgroups (mitral valvopathy, mitroaortic valvopathy, and reoperation patients).
Authors: Sydney Correia Leão; Michael R Dashwood; Mateus Santana de Andrade; Nicolas Nascimento Santos; Olivia Regina Lins Leal Teles; Williasmin Batista de Souza; Tania Maria de Andrade Rodrigues Journal: Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc Date: 2015 Mar-Apr
Authors: Sydney Correia Leão; Maria Regina Menezes Lima; Hertaline Menezes do Nascimento; Shirlei Octacilio-Silva; Tania Maria de Andrade Rodrigues Journal: Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc Date: 2014 Jan-Mar