Cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction is impaired in IGF-1 deficient mice

Objective: To obtain more insight in the role of IGF-1 in cardiac remodeling and function after experimental myocardial infarction. We hypothesized that cardiac remodeling is altered in IGF-1 deficient mice, which may affect cardiac function. Methods: A myocardial infarction was induced by surgical coronary artery Ligation in heterozygous IGF-1 deficient mice. One week after surgery, left ventricular function was analyzed, and parameters of cardiac remodeling were measured. Results: No significant difference in cardiac function was found between infarcted wildtype and knock-out animals, despite a marked reduction in capillarization and blunting of the hypertrophic response of the interventricular septum in the IGF-1 deficient group. Furthermore, decreased DNA synthesis and increased apoptosis rates were observed in the IGF-1 knack-out mice. Conclusion: IGF-1 deficient mice show preservation of cardiac function 1 week after MI, despite an altered cardiac remodeling process. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.