Paul R Wotton

Bio: Paul R Wotton is an academic researcher from University of Bristol. The author has contributed to research in topics: Dilated cardiomyopathy & Cardiomyopathy. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 3 publications receiving 237 citations.

Feline idiopathic cardiomyopathy: A retrospective study of 106 cats (1994–2001):

Abstract: The case records of 106 cats with idiopathic cardiomyopathy that presented to the Feline Centre of the University of Bristol between September 1994 and September 2001 were reviewed retrospectively. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) was the most common form seen (57.5%), followed by restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) (20.7%), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) (10.4%) and unclassified cardiomyopathy (UCM) (10.4%). One cat showed echocardiographic changes compatible with a moderator band cardiomyopathy (MBCM). Most affected cats were domestic short hairs (DSH) (57.5%). The mean (+/-SD, range) age of cats with cardiomyopathy at presentation was 6.8 (4.3, 0.5-16) years, with an equal distribution of males and females. Clinical findings, electrocardiographic changes and radiographic abnormalities were also reviewed. The median survival time for 73 cats for which follow-up data was available was 300 days. A greater survival time was observed for cats with UCM (925 days) when compared with those with HCM (492 days), RCM (132 days) or DCM (11 days).

Increased expression of promatrix metalloproteinase-9 and neutrophil elastase in canine dilated cardiomyopathy

Abstract: Objective: Canine dilated cardiomyopathy, commonly affecting Doberman pinschers, results in extracellular matrix remodelling within the myocardium. The aim of this study was to examine the proteolytic activity in myocardium from Doberman pinschers with dilated cardiomyopathy. Methods: Samples of myocardium, obtained rapidly post mortem from the left ventricular free wall of Dobermans with dilated cardiomyopathy, clinically normal Dobermans and control dogs (non-Dobermans), were examined for proteolytic activity using substrate gel zymography. Gels were analysed by scanning densitometry. Results: Promatrix metalloproteinase-9 activity was significantly increased in all Doberman myocardium when compared to controls. A significant increase in an enzyme, identified to be neutrophil elastase by inhibition of its activity by Elastatinal and Western blotting, was also detected in all Dobermans when compared to controls. Conclusions: The results indicate that promatrix metalloproteinase-9 and neutrophil elastase, both of which are implicated in inflammatory responses, are present in significantly elevated levels in Doberman dilated cardiomyopathy and are raised in clinically normal Dobermans. Both proteolytic enzymes degrade a wide variety of connective tissue components and thus the increased levels found may play an important role in the structural remodelling seen in the myocardium and subsequent heart failure. Increased proteolytic enzyme levels in clinically normal Dobermans may be indicative of the predisposition of the breed to dilated cardiomyopathy.

Myocardial Matrix Remodeling and the Matrix Metalloproteinases: Influence on Cardiac Form and Function

Abstract: It is now becoming apparent that dynamic changes occur within the interstitium that directly contribute to adverse myocardial remodeling following myocardial infarction (MI), with hypertensive hear...

Interleukin-1β and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Decrease Collagen Synthesis and Increase Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity in Cardiac Fibroblasts In Vitro

Abstract: —We tested the hypothesis that the inflammatory cytokines can regulate fibroblast extracellular matrix metabolism. Neonatal and adult rat cardiac fibroblasts cultures in vitro were exposed to interleukin (IL)–1β (4 ng/mL), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α; 100 ng/mL), IL-6 (10 ng/mL), or interferon-γ (IFN-γ; 500 U/mL) for 24 hours. IL-1β, and to a lesser extent TNF-α, decreased collagen synthesis, which was measured as collagenase-sensitive [3H]proline incorporation, but had no effect on cell number or total protein synthesis. IL-1β decreased the expression of procollagen α1(I), α2(I), and α1(III) mRNA, but increased the expression of procollagen α1(IV), α2(IV), and fibronectin mRNA, indicating a selective transcriptional downregulation of fibrillar collagen synthesis. IL-1β and TNF-α each increased total matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity as measured by in-gel zymography, causing specific increases in the bands corresponding to MMP-13, MMP-2, and MMP-9. IL-1β increased the expression of proMMP...

Prevalence of cardiomyopathy in apparently healthy cats.

Abstract: Objective—To determine the prevalence of cardiomyopathy and the relationship between cardiomyopathy and heart murmurs in apparently healthy cats. Design—Cross-sectional study. Animals—103 privately owned, apparently healthy domestic cats. Procedures—Cats were physically and echocardiographically examined by 2 investigators independently. Left ventricular wall thickness was determined via 2-dimensional echocardiography in short-axis and long-axis planes. Left ventricular hypertrophy was identified when end-diastolic measurements of the interventricular septum or posterior wall were ≥ 6 mm. Cats with left ventricular hypertrophy but without left ventricular dilatation were considered to have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The associations between heart murmurs and Doppler echocardiographic velocity profiles indicative of dynamic ventricular outflow tract obstruction were evaluated. Results—Heart murmurs were detected in 16 (15.5%; 95% confidence interval, 9.2% to 24.0%) cats; of these, 5 had cardiomyopa...