Tobacco smoke-induced left ventricular remodelling is not associated with metalloproteinase-2 or -9 activation

Aim: To investigate the role of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in cardiac remodelling induced by tobacco smoke exposure in rats.Methods: Rats were allocated into two groups: C (n = 9): control animals; ETS (n = 9): exposed to tobacco smoke. After 4months, the animals underwent echocardiography, morphometric study and determination of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity.Results: ETS rats had larger diastolic (C= 15.6 +/- 1.2 mm/kg, ETS = 18.0 +/- 0.9 mm/kg; p < 0.001) and systolic (C= 7.3 +/- 1.2 mm/kg, ETS = 9.2 0.9 mm/kg; p = 0.001) ventricular diameters adjusted for body weight. Fractional shortening (C= 53 +/- 4.8%, ETS = 48 +/- 3.3%; p = 0.031) and ejection fraction (C= 0. 89 +/- 0.03 5 ETS = 0. 86 +/- 0.02; p = 0.03 0) were smaller in the ETS group. Myocyte cross-sectional area (C= 245 8 mu m(2), ETS=253 8 mu m(2); p = 0.028) was higher in ETS rats. There were no differences in MNtP-2 (C=50 +/- 14%; ETS 43 +/- 11%, p 0.22 +/- 8) or MMP-9 (C=0.36 +/- 0.3%; ETS=0.62 +/- 0.3%, p=0.630) activity between the groups.Conclusion: MMP-2 and MMP-9 did not participate in the remodelling process induced by tobacco smoke exposure. (c) 2007 European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.