Combined Effects of Hypokinesia and Ambient Temperature on Heart Remodeling in Normotensive and Hypertensive Rats

Abstract

We studied the effect of hypokinesia combined with cold exposure on morphological parameters of the heart in Wistar-Kyoto rats and rats with spontaneous genetically determined hypertension (SHR). The pathological processes developing in the heart of white laboratory rats significantly affected cardiac function and manifested in the deterioration of the morphological structure of the heart: reduction of heart weight, thinning of the free wall of the left ventricle. These changes indicate transition to a lower energy level of functioning. At the same time, hypertrophy of the right free wall develops in both rat lines. Combined effect of hypokinesia and cold is probably a factor indirectly promoting the development of pulmonary heart.