ft011 and Fibrosis

Cardiac remodelling in diabetes includes pathological accumulation of extracellular matrix and myocyte hypertrophy that contribute to heart dysfunction. Attenuation of remodelling represents a potential therapeutic target. We tested this hypothesis using a new anti-fibrotic drug, FT011 (Fibrotech Therapeutics Pty Ltd), on diabetic Ren-2 rats, a model which replicates many of the structural and functional manifestations of diabetic cardiomyopathy in humans.. Homozygous Ren-2 rats were randomized to receive streptozotocin or vehicle then further randomized to FT011 (200 mg/kg/day) or vehicle treatment for 6 weeks. Prior to tissue collection, cardiac function was assessed via echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. Total collagen deposition and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy were assessed by picrosirius red and haematoxylin and eosin staining, respectively. Macrophage interstitial infiltration and type I and III collagen were quantitated by immunostaining. Without affecting blood pressure or hyperglycaemia, treatment of diabetic rats with FT011 significantly attenuated interstitial fibrosis (total collagen, 5.09 ±1.28 vs, 2.42 ±0.43%/area; type I collagen, 4.09 ±1.16 vs. 1.42 ±0.38%/area; type III collagen, 1.52 ±0.33 vs. 0.71 ±0.14 %/area; P < 0.05), cardiomyocyte hypertrophy (882 ±38 vs. 659 ±28 µm(2); P < 0.05), and interstitial macrophage influx (66 ±5.3 vs, 44 ±7.9 number/section; P < 0.05). Cardiac myopathic dilatation was normalized, as evidenced by reduced left ventricular inner diameter at diastole (0.642 ±0.016 vs. 0.577 ±0.024 cm), increased ejection fraction (75 ±1.1 vs. 83 ±1.2%) and preload recruitable stroke work relationship (44 ±6.7 vs. 77 ±6.3 slope-mmHg; P < 0.05), and reduced end-diastolic pressure-volume relationship (0.059 ±0.011 vs. 0.02 ±0.003 slope-mmHg/μL; P < 0.05).. A direct anti-fibrotic agent, FT011, attenuates cardiac remodelling and dysfunction in experimental diabetic cardiomyopathy. This represents a novel therapy for the treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy associated with cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy.

Topics: Animals; Antifibrinolytic Agents; Caffeic Acids; Cardiac Catheterization; Cardiomegaly; Chronic Disease; Collagen; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Diabetic Cardiomyopathies; Fibrosis; Heart Failure; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Myocardium; Myocytes, Cardiac; ortho-Aminobenzoates; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Streptozocin

Tranilast is an anti-inflammatory drug in use for asthma and atopic dermatitis. In studies over the last decade it has been revealed that tranilast can reduce fibrosis occurring in the kidney during diabetes, thereby delaying and/or preventing kidney dysfunction. We report a structure-activity study aimed at optimizing the antifibrotic activity of tranilast. A series of cinnamoyl anthranilates were prepared and assessed for their ability to prevent TGF-beta-stimulated production of collagen in cultured renal mesangial cells. We reveal derivatives with improved potency and reduced cellular toxicity relative to tranilast. 3-Methoxy-4-propargyloxycinnamoyl anthranilate reduces albuminuria in a rat model of progressive diabetes, and thus has potential as an innovative treatment for diabetic nephropathy.

Topics: Animals; Caffeic Acids; Cinnamates; Collagen; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Diabetic Nephropathies; Fibrosis; Kidney; ortho-Aminobenzoates; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley