Background: Gap junction remodeling is an important cause of ventricular arrhythmia in heart failure. However, it remains unclear whether renal denervation (RDN) regulates gap junction remodeling in heart failure. To explore the effect of RDN on gap junction remodeling in dogs with high-pacing-induced heart failure.

Materials and Methods: Fifteen dogs were randomly divided into control (n = 5), heart failure (HF) (n = 5), and RDN+HF (n = 5) group. A high-pacing-induced-heart failure model was established using rapid right ventricular pacing for 4 weeks. The RDN+HF group underwent surgical and chemical ablation of both renal arteries before 4 weeks rapid right ventricular pacing. After 4 weeks, echocardiography, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry test for norepinephrine and epinephrine, and pathological analysis were performed in the above 3 groups. Further, immunohistochemical staining was used to detect tyrosine hydroxylase, ChaT, connexin 43 (Cx43), and connexin 40 (Cx40). Connexin 43 and Cx40 expression was detected by western blotting. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the gap junction.

Results: Compared to the control group, myocardial fibrosis and sympathetic hyperactivity were observed in the HF group. Immunohistochemical staining and western blotting showed that Cx40 expression and Cx43 expression was significantly reduced in the HF group. Compared with the HF group, the RDN+HF group showed reduced sympathetic hyperactivity, Cx40 expression, Cx40/Cx43 ratio, and increased Cx43 expression.

Conclusion: Renal denervation alleviates gap junction remodeling in high-pacing-induced heart failure dogs.