Antihypertensive agents that limit ventricular hypertrophy inhibit cardiac expression of insulin-like growth factor-I

Abstract

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a generalized adaptation to altered myocardial load. Hypertension induces significant increases in ventricular IGF-I gene expression that occur coordinately with development of LVH. To test whether IGF-I promotes initiation of LVH, we examined ventricular IGF-I mRNA content in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) treated with antihypertensive drugs that limit or permit LVH.

Methods: Prehypertensive SHRs were left untreated or treated with enalapril, nifedipine, or hydralazine. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), hypertrophy index (ventricular weight/body weight), and ventricular IGF-I mRNA levels were examined 2, 4, and 6 weeks after beginning therapy in the experimental groups.

Results: Systolic blood pressure reached hypertensive levels after 2 weeks in untreated animals, and was controlled in the treated animals. The hypertrophy index in untreated animals was significantly elevated at 4 weeks. By 6 weeks, the hypertrophy indices of both the enalapril- and nifedipine-treated groups were significantly lower than that of the untreated group. In contrast, the hypertrophy index of the hydralazine-treated animals remained comparable to that of the untreated animals. By 4 weeks, IGF-I mRNA levels in the enalapril- and nifedipine-treated groups were significantly lower than those in the untreated and hydralazine-treated groups.

Conclusions: We conclude that: (1) antihypertensive drugs that reduce LVH blunt ventricular IGF-I mRNA content; and (2) the hemodynamic effects of antihypertensives may be dissociated from their ability to promote or limit a hypertrophic response. The clear association of LVH with ventricular IGF-I mRNA content suggests that IGF-I is an important determinant of ventricular growth. Our data also suggest that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium channel blockers may reduce LVH by inhibiting cardiac IGF-I gene expression.