Effects of captopril on the expression of myocardial α-myosin heavy chain and β-myosin heavy chain mRNA in rat with pressure overload

Objective To observe the effects of captopril on the expression of myocardial α-myosin heavy chain (α-MHC) and β-myosin heavy chain (β-MHC) mRNA in rat with pressure overload,and to explore the mechanism of the regression of left ventricular hypertrophy. Methods Thirty-six SD male rats were randomized into sham operation group,model group,and captopril group.The model rats were established by pressure overload.RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of α-MHC and β-MHC in myocardial tissues. Results The α-MHC mRNA expression in left ventricular myocardial tissue was lower in model group than that in sham operation group (P0.05).The α-MHC mRNA expression in captopril group was higher than that in model group (P0.05). The β-MHC mRNA expression of left ventricular myocardial tissue was higher in model group than that in sham operation group (P0.05). The β-MHC mRNA expression was lower in captopril group than that in model group (P0.05). Conclusion Captopril could increase the expression of α-MHC and decrease the expression of β-MHC,which may be one of mechanisms for regression of myocardial hypertrophy.