Excess Alcohol Consumption and Cardiac Fibrosis

Abstract

BackgroundAlcoholic Cardiomyopathy (ACM) is characterized by chronic alcohol consumption resulting in ventricular dilatation and cardiac fibrosis (CF). This CF is due to an increase in extracellular matrix components, including Collagens I and III.Statement of PurposeThe purpose of this study is to determine the effect of chronic alcohol consumption on the expression of cardiac proteins Collagen I and III.MethodologyAdult male Sprague‐Dawley rats were exposed to ethanol vapor to achieve approximately 200 mg/dl blood alcohol levels. Rats were exposed to ethanol for 10 weeks, receiving 14 hours on and 10 hour off daily. Left ventricle and livers were harvested and snap frozen for Western Blot analysis. Tissue samples were homogenized in RIPA buffer. Protein concentration was determined by Bradford Assay. Protein samples were separated by SDS‐PAGE and transferred onto PVDF membranes, which were probed with primary antibodies for CYP2E1, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), or collagens I and III. Membranes were then exposed to a luminescence detection reagent for protein detection.ResultsLivers were analyzed for the expression of CYP2E1 and ADH. Cardiac tissues were analyzed for the expression of collagen types I and III. Liver expression of protein CYP2E1 was increased due to alcohol exposure, whereas ADH was decreased. Cardiac expression of collagens was increased by alcohol.ConclusionChronic alcohol consumption may lead to cardiac fibrosis.

Morphological changes in the myocardium of rats with chronic alcohol intoxication after treatment with new GABAand glutamic acid derivatives

“…При хронической алкогольной интоксикации изменяется синтез структурных белков КМЦ, снижается сопряжение возбуждения и сокращения [17]. Хроническое употребление алкоголя усиливает экспрессию коллагена I и III типа в миокарде, приводя к фиброзу ткани сердца [18]. Кроме того, этанол индуцирует утечку Ca 2+ из саркоплазматического ретикулума, а также снижает чувствительность миофиламентов к кальцию [19,20].…”