American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology
-
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol. · Apr 2012
Cardiac-specific genetic inhibition of nuclear factor-κB prevents right ventricular hypertrophy induced by monocrotaline.
Uncontrolled pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) results in right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy (RVH), progressive RV failure, and low cardiac output leading to increased morbidity and mortality (McLaughlin VV, Archer SL, Badesch DB, Barst RJ, Farber HW, Lindner JR, Mathier MA, McGoon MD, Park MH, Rosenson RS, Rubin LJ, Tapson VF, Varga J. J Am Coll Cardiol 53: 1573-1619, 2009). Although the exact figures of its prevalence are difficult to obtain because of the diversity of identifiable causes, it is estimated that the incidence of pulmonary hypertension is seven to nine cases per million persons in the general population and is most prevalent in the age group of 20-40, occurring more commonly in women than in men (ratio: 1.7 to 1; Rubin LJ. ⋯ Despite major advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of PAH, the molecular mechanism(s) by which PAH promotes RVH and cardiac failure still remains elusive. Of all the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis, inflammation and oxidative stress remain the core of the etiology of PAH that leads to development of RVH (Dorfmüller P, Perros F, Balabanian K, Humbert M. Eur Respir J 22: 358-363, 2003).
-
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol. · Apr 2012
A coupled hydrodynamic model of the cardiovascular and cerebrospinal fluid system.
Coupling of the cardiovascular and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) system is considered to be important to understand the pathophysiology of cerebrovascular and craniospinal disease and intrathecal drug delivery. A coupled cardiovascular and CSF system model was designed to examine the relation of spinal cord (SC) blood flow (SCBF) and CSF pulsations along the spinal subarachnoid space (SSS). A one-dimensional (1-D) cardiovascular tree model was constructed including a simplified SC arterial network. ⋯ The properties and anatomy of the SC arterial network and SSS were found to have an important impact on pressure and flow and perivascular fluid movement to the SC. Overall, the coupled model provides predictions about the flow and pressure environment in the SC and SSS. More detailed measurements are needed to fully validate the model.