65. Cardiac hypertrophy and mortality are increased in aged mice with genetic deletion of galectin 3

FONTANA ESTEVEZ FS; LLAMOSAS MC; TOUCEDA V; GONZÁLEZ GE; SEROPIAN I; VIDAL MA ; MIKSZTOWICZ V; BETAZZA MC ; CIANCIULI T; MORALES C

Virtual

Congreso; LXV Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Clínica; 2020

Aging is associated with highly prevalent cardiovascular pathologies such as hypertension and heart failure. We aimed to studythe cardiovascular effects of genetic deletion of Galectin 3 (Gal3),a β-galactosidase binding lectin with proinflammatory and profibrotic effects, in aged mice. Wild type C57BL/6 (C57; n=54) and Gal3knockout (Gal3KO; n=55) mice with access to water and food adlibitum were observed for 24 months. At 2 years of follow up, survivalrate was quantified, systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measuredby plethysmography, and echocardiography (ECO) was performedin sedated mice to measure left ventricular geometry and function.In addition, shortening fraction (SF, %) and cardiac mass (mg) werecalculated. Then, animals were euthanized, the organs harvestedweighted and the tibia length (TL) measured. Results (Mean ± SE):At 2 years, the survival was reduced in Gal3KO (p= 0.02 Gal3KOvs C57). SBP (mmHg) was 112 ± 3 in C57 vs 114 ± 3 in Gal3KO(p=NS). SF (%) was 61 ± 1 C57 vs 60 ± 2 Gal3KO (p=NS). Increased hypertrophy was observed in Gal3KO, posterior wall thick ness (mm) was: 0.8 ± 0.02 in C57 vs 1.5 ± 0.2 in Gal3KO (p=0.0003)and 1 ± 0.02 in C57 vs 2 ± 0.1 in Gal3KO (p=0.0003) as measured indiastole and systole respectively, while anterior wall thickness (mm)in systole was 1 ± 0.02 in C57 vs 2 ± 0.1 in Gal3KO (p=0.0005). Cardiac mass (mg) was 80 ± 10 vs 140 ± 20 in C57 and Gal3KO micerespectively (p=0.01). Left ventricular end systolic and end diastolicdiameter (mm) were 1 ± 0.1 in C57 vs 1 ± 0.1 in Gal3KO and 3 ± 0.1in C57 vs 3 ± 0.1 in Gal3KO (p=NS). At necropsy: Heart weight/TLand kidney weight/TL were 8 ± 0.3 and 9 ± 0.3 (p