Modeling of alcoholic cardiomyopathy and current aspects of its pathogenesis
Abstract
The review provides analysis of methods used to model alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM) in laboratory animals. It also considers the present time concepts of pathogenesis of the alcohol-induced myocardium deterioration. ACM development is determined by the dose of alcohol and duration of the intoxication period. Alcoholic injury of cardiomyocytes is initiated by various mechanisms and involves diverse signal pathways. The discussed mechanisms of ACM include changes in plasma membrane fluidity, initiation of apoptosis, free-radical lipid peroxidation, activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, inflammatory reaction, as well as development of hypertrophy and fibrous transformation of the heart tissue.