A role for cardiotrophin-1 in myocardial remodeling induced by aldosterone

steronim is associated with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH) and fibrosis. Cardiotrophin (CT)-1 is a cytokine that induces myocar-dial remodeling. We investigated whether CT-1 mediates aldosterone (Aldo)-induced myocardial remodeling in two experimental models. Wistar rats were treated with Aldo-salt (1 mg·kg1·day1) with or without spironolactone (200 mg·kg1·day1) for 3 wk. Wild-type (WT) and CT-1-null mice were infused with Aldo (1 mg·kg1·day1) for 3 wk. Hemodynamic parameters were analyzed. LVH, fibrosis, inflammation, and CT-1 expression were evaluated in both experi-mental models by histopathological analysis, RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, and ELISA. Hypertensive Aldo-treated rats exhibited in-creased LV end-diastolic pressure and dP/dt compared with con-trols. The cardiac index, LV cross-sectional area and wall thickness, cardiomyocyte size, collagen deposition, and inflammation were in-creased in Aldo-salt-treated rats. Myocardial expression of molecula