A multi-herbal product called Protandim prevents fibrosis and capillary loss and preserves right ventricular function in rats. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Chronic pulmonary artery pressure elevation is insufficient to explain right heart failure.
Circulation. 2009 Nov 17;120(20):1951-60. Epub 2009 Nov 2. PMID: 19884466
Divisions of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0281, USA. [email protected]
BACKGROUND: The most important determinant of longevity in pulmonary arterial hypertension is right ventricular (RV) function, but in contrast to experimental work elucidating the pathobiology of left ventricular failure, there is a paucity of data on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of RV failure.
METHODS AND RESULTS: A mechanical animal model of chronic progressive RV pressure overload (pulmonary artery banding, not associated with structural alterations of the lung circulation) was compared with an established model of angioproliferative pulmonary hypertension associated with fatal RV failure. Isolated RV pressure overload induced RV hypertrophy without failure, whereas in the context of angioproliferative pulmonary hypertension, RV failure developed that was associated with myocardial apoptosis, fibrosis, a decreased RV capillary density, and a decreased vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA and protein expression despite increased nuclear stabilization of hypoxia-induced factor-1alpha. Induction of myocardial nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 and heme-oxygenase 1 with a dietary supplement (Protandim) prevented fibrosis and capillary loss and preserved RV function despite continuing pressure overload.
CONCLUSIONS: These data brought into question the commonly held concept that RV failure associated with pulmonary hypertension is due strictly to the increased RV afterload.