Eicosapentaenoic acid suppresses adverse effects of C-reactive protein overexpression on pressure overload-induced cardiac remodeling

Heart Vessels. 2013 May;28(3):404-11. doi: 10.1007/s00380-012-0270-5. Epub 2012 Aug 9.

Abstract

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) elevation is associated with poor clinical outcome in patients with heart failure (HF). We previously reported that CRP exacerbates the development of pressure overload-induced cardiac remodeling through an enhanced inflammatory response and oxidative stress. In the present study, we examined the effect of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a suppressor of inflammatory response and oxidative stress, on pressure overload-induced cardiac remodeling. Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) was performed on transgenic mice overexpressing CRP (CRPtg) and nontransgenic littermates (TAC/CON). CRPtg with TAC operation were randomly assigned to be fed a standard diet (TAC/CRPtg) or an EPA-enriched diet (7 % of total energy) (TAC/CRPtg/EPA). Myocardial mRNA level of transforming growth factor-β1, proinflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress markers were increased in TAC/CRPtg in comparison with TAC/CON 1 and 4 weeks after the operation. These parameters were significantly suppressed in TAC/CRPtg/EPA compared with TAC/CRPtg. In addition, after 4 weeks of EPA treatment, as compared with TAC/CRPtg, TAC/CRPtg/EPA mice demonstrated reduced heart and lung weights, increased left ventricular fractional shortening, and decreased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, together with decreased cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and improved cardiac function. In conclusion, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties of EPA may make it an effective therapeutic strategy for adverse cardiac remodeling associated with CRP overexpression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • C-Reactive Protein / genetics
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism*
  • Cardiomegaly / genetics
  • Cardiomegaly / metabolism
  • Cardiomegaly / pathology
  • Cardiomegaly / prevention & control*
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Fibrosis
  • Heart Failure / drug therapy*
  • Heart Failure / genetics
  • Heart Failure / metabolism
  • Heart Failure / pathology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Myocardium / metabolism*
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Recovery of Function
  • Time Factors
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / genetics
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation
  • Ventricular Function, Left / drug effects
  • Ventricular Pressure / drug effects
  • Ventricular Remodeling / drug effects*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Tgfb1 protein, mouse
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid