Progressive Cardiac Dysfunction and Fibrosis in the Cardiomyopathic Hamster and Effects of Growth Hormone and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition

Abstract

GH treatment alone improved LV dysfunction at 4 months of age in CM hamsters by increasing contractility and reducing wall stress but had few beneficial effects at 10 months in severe LV failure. After chronic ACE inhibition, addition of GH at 10 months had no additional beneficial effects and further increased LV diastolic pressure. These differing effects of GH may relate to the progressive increase of LV fibrosis in the CM hamster.