ALTERATIONS IN COLLAGEN-METABOLISM AND INCREASED FIBROPROLIFERATION IN THE HEART IN CERIUM-TREATED RATS - IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PATHOGENESISOF ENDOMYOCARDIAL FIBROSIS

Cerium (Ce), a rare earth element, has been postulated to play a role in the pathogenesis of tropical endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF). Investi gations carried out recently in pursuance of the postulation furnished histological evidence of EMF and increased cardiac collagen content i n rats on prolonged administration of Ce. The present study was undert aken to understand the molecular basis of myocardial injury and fibros is produced by the element. This article presents evidence of increase d lipid peroxidation and elevated rates of fibroblast proliferation an d collagen deposition in the heart in Ce-treated rats. It is suggested that the element may trigger a wound-healing response in the cardiac tissue leading to cardiac fibrosis.