[Analysis of the mitochondrial function and ultrastructure in healthy albino mice treated with heart failure medications].

BACKGROUND

Mitochondrial activity is essential for cardiac and skeletal muscle. The relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and different cardiovascular conditions has been well described. Pharmacological treatment for heart failure involves different drugs as: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, B-adrenergic blockers, digitalis glycosides and diuretics. The clinical benefit from medication is clear, however, the role of this drugs in mitochondrial metabolisms is not well understood.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The objective of our study was to analyze structural and functional characteristics of cardiac and skeletal muscle mitochondria in mice treated with drugs normally used for heart failure and compare it to a control group. Methods: Twenty-five Albino Mice divided in five groups were treated with heart failure medication during 30 days (group I to IV). 30 days after treatment they were sacrificed, heart and skeletal muscle were analyzed and compared with a control group (V). Results: Enzymatic activity was slightly increased in groups treated with heart failure medication compared to control group (p>0.05). Mitochondrial morphology was significantly altered in groups treated compared to control group, in addition, mitochondrial area was significantly increased in the treated groups, in both cardiac and skeletal muscle. Conclusions: We concluded that heart failure medication could produce modifications in mitochondrial function; we believe that mitochondria maintains the enzymatic activity by increasing size and modifying morphology.

METHODS

Twenty-five Albino Mice divided in five groups were treated with heart failure medication during 30 days (group I to IV). 30 days after treatment they were sacrificed, heart and skeletal muscle were analyzed and compared with a control group (V). Results: Enzymatic activity was slightly increased in groups treated with heart failure medication compared to control group (p>0.05). Mitochondrial morphology was significantly altered in groups treated compared to control group, in addition, mitochondrial area was significantly increased in the treated groups, in both cardiac and skeletal muscle. Conclusions: We concluded that heart failure medication could produce modifications in mitochondrial function; we believe that mitochondria maintains the enzymatic activity by increasing size and modifying morphology.

RESULTS

Enzymatic activity was slightly increased in groups treated with heart failure medication compared to control group (p>0.05). Mitochondrial morphology was significantly altered in groups treated compared to control group, in addition, mitochondrial area was significantly increased in the treated groups, in both cardiac and skeletal muscle. Conclusions: We concluded that heart failure medication could produce modifications in mitochondrial function; we believe that mitochondria maintains the enzymatic activity by increasing size and modifying morphology.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that heart failure medication could produce modifications in mitochondrial function; we believe that mitochondria maintains the enzymatic activity by increasing size and modifying morphology.