Abstract OBJECTIVE: To examined serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and BNP expression of protein and mRNA in the right ventricular myocardium in juvenile rats with right heart failure (RHF) and the effects of β-adrenergic receptor blocker carvedilol on serum and myocardial BNP levels in order to investigate the role of BNP in the diagnosis and treatment of RHF. METHODS: Fifty-one four-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 5 groups: RHF 1, RHF 2, carvedilol-treated RHF, control 1 and control 2. RHF was developed 4 weeks after an intraperitoneal injection of monocrotaline in the RHF 1, RHF 2 and carvedilol-treated RHF groups. The rats in the RHF 1 and the control 1 groups were sacrificed after the RHF event for observing pathological changes in the myocardium. After the RHF event, the carvedilol-treated group was given intragastric administration of carvedilol (3.5 mg/kg/d) for 2 weeks. The RHF 2 and the control 2 groups were given distilled water of equal dose instead. The rats were sacrificed 2 weeks after carvedilol or distilled water administration. Serum BNP levels were measured using ELISA. BNP protein and mRNA expression in the right ventricular myocardium were measured by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively. Haemodynamics and some physiological indexes were measured. RESULTS: Serum BNP levels and BNP protein and mRNA expression in the right ventricular myocardium were significantly higher in the RHF 1 group than those in the control 1 group (P<0.01). Serum BNP levels and BNP protein and mRNA expression in the right ventricular myocardium increased more significantly in the RHF 2 group. There was a positive correlation between serum BNP levels and myocardial BNP protein expression in the RHF group (r=0.698, P<0.01). Serum BNP levels and BNP protein and mRNA expression in the carvedilol-treated RHF group were significantly reduced when compared with the RHF 2 group (P<0.05). Carvedilol treatment also resulted in improved hemodynamics and relieved right ventricular hypertrophy. CONCLUSIONS: BNP may serve an index for the diagnosis of RHF and the evaluation of severity in children with RHF. Carvedilol shows protections against RHF caused by pressure load.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (7):571-576］
AN Jin-Dou,LIANG Fang,FENG Song. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and the effects of carvedilol on BNP levels in juvenile rats with right heart failure[J]. 中国当代儿科杂志, 2009, 11(07): 571-576.
AN Jin-Dou,LIANG Fang,FENG Song. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and the effects of carvedilol on BNP levels in juvenile rats with right heart failure[J]. CJCP, 2009, 11(07): 571-576.
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