Background-Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activation contributes to tissue remodeling in several disease states, and increased MMP activity has been observed in left ventricular (LV) failure. The present study tested the hypothesis that MMP inhibition would influence LV remodeling and function in developing LV failure. Methods and Results-LV size and function were measured in 5 groups of rats: (1) obese male spontaneously hypertensive heart failure rats (SHHF) at 9 months (nϭ10), (2) SHHF at 13 months (nϭ12), (3) SHHF rats treated with an MMP inhibitor during months 9 to 13 (PD166793 5 mg ⅐ kg Ϫ1 ⅐ d Ϫ1 PO; nϭ14), (4) normotensive Wistar-Furth rats (WF) at 9 months (nϭ12), and (5) WF at 13 months (nϭ12). Plasma concentrations of the MMP inhibitor (116Ϯ11 mol/L) reduced in vitro LV myocardial MMP-2 activity by Ϸ100%. LV function and geometry were similar in WF rats at 9 and 13 months. LV peak ϩdP/dt was unchanged at 9 months in SHHF but by 13 months was reduced in the SHHF group compared with WF (3578Ϯ477 versus 5983Ϯ109 mm Hg/s, PՅ0.05). LV volume measured at an equivalent ex vivo pressure (10 mm Hg) was increased in SHHF at 9 months compared with WF (443Ϯ12 versus 563Ϯ33 mL, PՅ0.05) and increased further by 13 months (899Ϯ64 mL, PՅ0.05). LV myocardial MMP-2 activity was increased by Ϸ2-fold in SHHF at 9 and 13 months. With MMP inhibition, LV peak ϩdP/dt was similar to WF values and LV volume was reduced compared with untreated SHHF values (678Ϯ28 mL, PՅ0.05).
Conclusions-MMP