Background: Recent studies demonstrate that hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for heart failure. Oxidant stress is a major mediator of the pathogenic effects of hyperhomocysteinemia.
Methods: We utilized a rat model of diet-induced hyperhomocysteinemia to examine whether treatment with an anti-oxidant vitamin (C&E) combination will prevent hyperhomocysteinemia-induced myocardial fibrosis.
Results: Dietary anti-oxidant therapy attenuated hyperhomocysteinemia-induced increases in myocardial oxidant stress and myocardial fibrosis, and diastolic dysfunction.
Conclusions: Hyperhomocysteinemia acts via oxidant stress to promote myocardial fibrosis and dysfunction. Dietary anti-oxidant therapy could be an important preventive and therapeutic strategy in diastolic heart failure.