Increased Myostatin Activity and Decreased Myocyte Proliferation in Chronic Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy

Abstract

Alcohol produces cardiac myocyte loss through apoptosis but also partially inhibits myocyte proliferation through myostatin up-regulation. The final result may suppose an imbalance in myocyte homeostasis, with a net loss in total ventricular myocyte mass and progressive ventricular dysfunction.