Effects of adriamycin on cardiac structure and serum NTproBNP in rabbits

AIM:To study the effects of adriamycin (ADR) on cardiac structure and serum Nterminal brain natriuretic peptide precursor (NTproBNP) in rabbits and provide a model for chronic heart failure. METHODS: Thirty rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: 4week model group (n=10) and 8week model group (n=10, each) in which ADR was intravenously injected at the doses of 1 mg/kg twice weekly for 4 or 8 weeks, and control group (n=10) in which an equivalent volume of 09% sodium chloride was given. Seven days after the final injection in each group, the left ventricular enddiastolic dimension (LVEDD), left ventricular endsystolic dimension (LVESD), interventricular septum (IVS), left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW) and serum NTproBNP were evaluated, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with those in control group, LVDd, LVDs, IVS, LVPW and serum NTproBNP increased obviously in both model groups. CONCLUSION: Chronic administration of intravenous ADR to rabbits for 4 or 8 weeks harms the cardiac structure and raises serum NTproBNP. A model of chronic heart failure can be induced by ADR.