Potential Contribution of a Novel Antifibrotic Factor, Hepatocyte Growth Factor, to Prevention of Myocardial Fibrosis by Angiotensin II Blockade in Cardiomyopathic Hamsters

Abstract

Here, we demonstrated that Ang II blockade prevented myocardial fibrosis in the cardiomyopathic hamster, accompanied by a significant increase in cardiac HGF. Overall, increase in local HGF expression may participate in the prevention of myocardial injury by Ang II blockade through its antifibrotic action.