EFFECTS OF DIGITOXIN ON MYOCARDIAL COLLAGEN DEPOSITION IN AN EXPERIMENTAL FIBROSIS MODEL

Methods: The sample was divided in 20 rats from the control group (CG); 20 rats submitted to an experimental model of ibrosis, in which the rats were uninefrectomized, drank water with 1% NaCl during the protocol and received aldosterone through an osmotic minipump (AG); and 20 rats submitted to the same experimental model were treated with digitoxin in a daily dose of 100 μg/Kg (DAG). All animals were submitted to high resolution echocardiography at the beginning and the end of the study. Serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were measured by Elisa. After 6 weeks of treatment the animals were euthanized, Picrosirius Red stain was used to quantify myocardial collagen, and gelatin zymography was performed for metalloproteinases-2 and metalloproteinases-9 activity of the heart samples.