Alterations in collagen metabolism and increased fibroproliferation in the heart in cerium-treated rats: implications for the pathogenesis of endomyocardial fibrosis.

Abstract

Cerium (Ce), a rare earth element, has been postulated to play a role in the pathogenesis of tropical endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF). Investigations carried out recently in pursuance of the postulation furnished histological evidence of EMF and increased cardiac collagen content in rats on prolonged administration of Ce. The present study was undertaken to understand the molecular basis of myocardial injury and fibrosis produced by the element. This article presents evidence of increased lipid peroxidation and elevated rates of fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition in the heart in Ce-treated rats. It is suggested that the element may trigger a wound-healing response in the cardiac tissue leading to cardiac fibrosis.

• Authors: B Prakash Kumar, K Shivakumar
• Journal: Biological trace element research (Biol Trace Elem Res) Vol. 63 Issue 1 Pg. 73-9 (Jul 1998) ISSN: 0163-4984 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9764572 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
• Cerium
• Collagen

Topics

• Animals
• Cell Division (drug effects)
• Cerium (pharmacology)
• Collagen (drug effects, metabolism)
• Endomyocardial Fibrosis (metabolism, pathology)
• Female
• Fibroblasts (drug effects)
• Heart (drug effects)
• Myocardium (metabolism, pathology)
• Oxidative Stress
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (analysis)