Opposing roles of PARP-1 in MMP-9 and TIMP-2 expression and mast cell degranulation in dyslipidemic dilated cardiomyopathy (original) (raw)

Introduction-Previously, we demonstrated that inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) exerts protective effects against high-fat (HF) diet-induced atherogenesis, in part, by increasing tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-2 expression. Given that characteristics of dilated cardiomyopathy closely associate with atherosclerosis and are mediated by an imbalance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and TIMPs, we hypothesized that PARP-1 gene deletion may protect against HF-induced cardiac hypertrophy and dilatations by altering TIMP-2/ MMPs balance in favor of a maintenance of tissue homeostasis.