Protective effects of N-acetyl cysteine on membrane-bound adenosine triphosphatases and minerals in isoproterenol-induced myocardial-infarcted rats: an in vivo and in vitro study

The present study was aimed to evaluate the protective effects of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on changes in the activities/levels of adenosine triphosphatases and minerals in isoproterenol-induced myocardial-infarcted rats. Male albino Wistar rats were pretreated with NAC (10 mg/kg body weight) daily for a period of 14 days. After pretreatment period, rats were induced myocardial infarction (MI) by isoproterenol (100 mg/kg body weight). The activity of sodium/potassium-dependent adenosine triphosphatase was decreased, and the activities of calcium- and magnesium-dependent adenosine triphosphatases were increased in the heart of isoproterenol-induced myocardial-infarcted rats. Furthermore, the levels of potassium were lowered and the levels of sodium and calcium were increased in the heart of isoproterenol-induced rats. Increased plasma lipid peroxidation was observed in isoproterenol-induced rats. Pretreatment with NAC showed protective effects on adenosine triphosphatases, minerals, and lipid peroxidation. The in vitro study confirmed the reducing property of NAC. The observed effects are due to the membrane-stabilizing and antioxidant effects of NAC. The results of this study will be useful for the prevention of MI.     

Pretreatment with a combination of quercetin and α-tocopherol ameliorates adenosine triphosphatases and lysosomal enzymes in myocardial infarcted rats

AimsMembrane bound adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases) and lysosomal enzymes play an important role in the pathology of myocardial infarction. This study was aimed to evaluate the combined preventive effects of quercetin and α-tocopherol on membrane bound ATPases and lysosomal enzymes in isoproterenol induced myocardial infarcted rats.Main methodsMale Wistar rats were pretreated with a combination of quercetin (10 mg/kg) and α-tocopherol (10 mg/kg) daily for 14 days. After the pretreatment period, isoproterenol (100 mg/kg) was injected to rats at an interval of 24 h for two days to induce myocardial infarction. The activities of ATPases and lysosomal enzymes were assayed.Key findingsIsoproterenol treated rats showed decreased levels of heart creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase. The activity of sodium potassium adenosine triphosphatase was decreased and the activities of magnesium adenosine triphosphatase and calcium adenosine triphosphatase were increased in isoproterenol treated rats. Also, the activities of β-glucuronidase, β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, β-galactosidase, cathepsin-B and D were increased (serum and heart), but the activities of β-glucuronidase and cathepsin-D were decreased in lysosomal fraction and increased in cytosolic fraction of the heart in isoproterenol treated rats. Furthermore, the heart lipid peroxidation products were increased in isoproterenol treated rats. Combined pretreatment with quercetin and α-tocopherol to isoproterenol treated rats normalized all the biochemical parameters studied. The observed effects are due to their membrane stabilizing property and this property might be due to decreased lipid peroxidation.SignificanceOur study demonstrated that combined pretreatment was better than single pretreatment. This study may have significant impact on myocardial infarcted patients.     

Antihyperlipidaemic,Antihypertrophic, and Reducing Effects of Zingerone on Experimentally Induced Myocardial Infarcted Rats

The present study aims to evaluate the antihyperlipidaemic, antihypertrophic, and reducing effects of zingerone on isoproterenol‐induced hyperlipidaemia and hypertrophy in rats. Rats were pretreated with zingerone (6 mg/kg body weight) daily for a period of 14 days and then induced myocardial infarction with isoproterenol (100 mg/kg body weight) on days 15 and 16. Isoproterenol increased serum creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase activities in the rats. Increased levels/concentrations of serum and heart cholesterol and triglycerides were observed in isoproterenol‐induced myocardial infarcted rats. Isoproterenol also altered serum lipoproteins and the activity of liver 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl glutaryl‐coenzyme‐A‐reductase in the rats. The in vitro study revealed a very convincing reducing power of zingerone. Pretreatment with zingerone prevented hyperlipidaemia and cardiac hypertrophy, by virtue of its antihyperlipidaemic, antihypertrophic, and reducing properties in isoproterenol‐induced myocardial infarcted rats.     

Preventive Effects of Zingerone on Altered Lipid Peroxides and Nonenzymatic Antioxidants in the Circulation of Isoproterenol‐Induced Myocardial Infarcted Rats

The present study was designed to evaluate the preventive effects of zingerone on circulatory lipid peroxides and nonenzymatic antioxidants in isoproterenol‐induced myocardial infarcted rats. Rats were pretreated with zingerone (6 mg/kg body weight) daily for a period of 14 days and were then induced myocardial infarction with isoproterenol (100 mg/kg body weight) on 15th and 16th day. Increased intensities of serum lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes 1 and 2 bands enhanced plasma lipid peroxidation products and lowered nonenzymatic antioxidant system were noted in isoproterenol‐induced rats. Pretreatment with zingerone daily for 14 days revealed significant preventive effects on the electrophoretic and biochemical parameters evaluated in isoproterenol‐induced rats. Furthermore, the in vitro study confirmed the potent antioxidant activity of zingerone. The results of our study showed that zingerone protected the rat's heart against isoproterenol‐induced myocardial infarction by its antioxidant effect.     

Protective effects of thymol on altered plasma lipid peroxidation and nonenzymic antioxidants in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarcted rats

This study evaluates the protective effects of thymol on altered plasma lipid peroxidation products and nonenzymic antioxidants in isoproterenol (ISO)‐induced myocardial infarcted rats. Male albino Wistar rats were pre and cotreated with thymol (7.5 mg/kg body weight) daily for 7 days. ISO (100 mg/kg body weight) was subcutaneously injected into rats on 6th and 7th day to induce myocardial infarction (MI). Increased activity/levels of serum creatine kinase‐MB (CK‐MB), plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, lipid hydroperoxides, and conjugated dienes with decreased levels of plasma reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C, and vitamin E were observed in ISO‐induced myocardial infarcted rats. Pre and cotreatment with thymol (7.5 mg/kg body weight) showed normalized activity of serum CK‐MB and near normalized levels of plasma lipid peroxidation products, reduced GSH, vitamin C, and vitamin E in myocardial infarcted rats. Furthermore, the in vitro study on reducing power of thymol confirmed its potent antioxidant action. Thus, thymol protects ISO‐induced MI in rats by its antilipid peroxidation and antioxidant properties. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 26:368–373, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/jbt.21431     

Turbinaria conoides (J. Agardh) sulfated polysaccharide protects rat's heart against myocardial injury

In recent years, sulfated polysaccharide (fucoidan) is being marketed as a nutraceutical and food supplement because of its various established pharmacological activities. Hence this study was designed to investigate the protective effect of fucoidan extracted from Turbinaria conoides against isoproterenol induced myocardial injured rats. Biochemical assessment of myocardial injury was done by measuring the activities of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, membrane bound triphosphatases and minerals, which were significantly altered in isoproterenol administered rats. In addition, the enzyme mapping assay on the size of myocardial infarct also correlated with these biochemical parameters. Thus, the observed protective effects of sulfated polysaccharides of T. conoides against ISO induced myocardial injury are due to membrane stabilizing property and this property might be due to decreased lipid peroxidation. These results may trigger a renewed interest in the use of T. conoides fucoidan for myocardial injury.     

Preventive effect of caffeic acid on lysosomal dysfunction in isoproterenol‐induced myocardial infarcted rats

We evaluated the preventive effect of caffeic acid (CA) on lysosomal enzymes in isoproterenol (ISO)‐treated myocardial infarcted rats. Male albino Wistar rats were pretreated with CA (15 mg/kg) daily for a period of 10 days. After the pretreatment period, ISO (100 mg/kg) was subcutaneously injected to rats twice at an interval of 24 h. The activity of serum creatine kinase‐MB and lactate dehydrogenase was increased significantly (P < 0.05) in ISO‐induced myocardial infarcted rats. The levels of plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and lipid hydroperoxides were significantly (P < 0.05) increased, and the level of plasma‐reduced glutathione was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in ISO‐induced myocardial infarcted rats. The activities of lysosomal enzymes (β‐glucuronidase, β‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase, β‐galactosidase, cathepsin‐B and cathepsin‐D) were increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the serum and heart of ISO‐induced myocardial infarcted rats. ISO induction also resulted in decreased stability of membranes, which was reflected by lowered activities of β‐glucuronidase and cathepsin‐D in different fractions except cytosol. Pretreatment with CA (15 mg/kg) to ISO‐treated rats significantly (P < 0.05) prevented the changes in the activities of cardiac marker enzymes, the levels of lipid peroxidation products, reduced glutathione and the activities of lysosomal enzymes in the serum, heart, and subcellular fractions. Oral treatment with CA (15 mg/kg) to normal control rats did not show any significant effect. Thus, the results of our study showed that CA prevented the lysosomal membrane damage against ISO‐induced myocardial infarction. The observed effects of CA are due to membrane‐stabilizing, antilipo peroxidative, and antioxidant effects. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 24:115–122, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20319     

Combined effects of quercetin and α-tocopherol on lipids and glycoprotein components in isoproterenol induced myocardial infarcted Wistar rats

This study was aimed to evaluate the combined effects of quercetin and α-tocopherol on lipid metabolism and glycoprotein components in isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction in Wistar rats. Myocardial infarction in rats was induced by isoproterenol (100 mg/kg) at an interval of 24 h for 2 days. Quercetin (10 mg/kg) and α-tocopherol (10 mg/kg) were given to rats as pretreatment for 14 days orally using an intragastric tube. Quercetin and α-tocopherol significantly reduced the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and free fatty acids in the serum and heart and serum phospholipids and significantly increased the levels of heart phospholipids in isoproterenol induced rats. They also significantly decreased the activity of plasma and liver 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme-A reductase and increased the activity of plasma and liver lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase in isoproterenol treated rats. In addition to this, they also significantly reduced the levels of hexose, hexosamine, fucose and sialic acid in the serum and heart of isoproterenol treated rats. Quercetin and α-tocopherol also showed significant decrease in plasma lipid peroxidation products (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and lipid hydroperoxides). Pretreatment with quercetin alone and α-tocopherol alone showed significant effect in all the biochemical parameters in myocardial infarcted rats. But, combined pretreatment with quercetin and α-tocopherol normalized all the above mentioned biochemical parameters in isoproterenol treated myocardial infarction in rats. Thus, the experiment clearly showed that quercetin and α-tocopherol prevented the accumulation of lipids and glycoprotein components in myocardial infarcted rats by their anti-lipid peroxidative effect. This study also showed that combined pretreatment was better than single pretreatment.     

Protective Effects of 7‐Hydroxycoumarin on Dyslipidemia and Cardiac Hypertrophy in Isoproterenol‐Induced Myocardial Infarction in Rats

This study evaluates the protective effects of 7‐hydroxycoumarin (7‐HC) on dyslipidemia and cardiac hypertrophy in isoproterenol (ISO) induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. Rats were pre‐ and co treated with 7‐HC (16 mg/kg) daily for 8 days. ISO (100 mg/kg) was subcutaneously injected into rats on seventh and eighth days to induce MI. Increased activity/levels of serum creatine kinase‐MB (CK‐MB), troponin‐T, plasma lipid peroxidation products, and altered levels of lipids in the serum and heart and serum lipoproteins were noted in ISO‐induced rats. ISO‐induced myocardial infarcted rats revealed increased hypertrophy (cardiac and left ventricular) and hepatic 3‐hydroxyl 3‐methylglutaryl‐coenzyme‐A reductase (HMG‐CoA reductase) activity. Pre and cotreatment with 7‐HC revealed significant protective effects on all the biochemical parameters evaluated. The in vitro study demonstrated its free radical scavenging property. Thus, 7‐HC protects ISO‐induced MI in rats by its free radical scavenging and antihyperlipidaemic and antihypertrophic properties.     

Preventive effect of rutin on lipids, lipoproteins, and ATPases in normal and isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats

The present study was designed to evaluate the preventive role of rutin on lipids, lipoproteins, and ATPases in normal and isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction in rats. Rutin (40 and 80 mg/kg) was orally administered to rats for a period of 42 days. After that period, isoproterenol (150 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously to male wistar rats at an interval of 24 h for 2 days. The weight of heart and the concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids were increased significantly (p < 0.05), and the concentration of phospholipids was decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the heart of ISO-treated rats. ISO-treated rats also showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) with a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level in serum. The activities of sodium potassium dependent adenosine triphosphatase (Na(+)/K(+) ATPase) and magnesium-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (Mg(2+) ATPase) were decreased significantly (p < 0.05), and the activity of calcium-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (Ca(2+)ATPase) was increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the heart in ISO-treated rats. Pretreatment with rutin at doses of 40 or 80 mg/kg to ISO-treated rats showed a significant (p < 0.05) effect in all the parameters studied. Oral administration of rutin to normal rats did not show any significant effect. Thus, the results of our study show that pretreatment with rutin maintained the levels of lipids, lipoproteins, and ATPases in ISO-induced myocardial infarcted rats. The observed effects might be due to the antioxidant potential of rutin.     

Morin protects heart from beta-adrenergic-stimulated myocardial infarction: an electrocardiographic, biochemical, and histological study in rats

In recent years, polyphenols have attracted considerable attention as agents that protect cells or molecules from oxidative myocardial injury. The aim of the study was to prove the cardioprotective benefits of the flavonoid morin in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarcted rats. Male Wistar rats are treated orally with morin (10 and 20 mg/kg) daily for a period of 21 days. After 21 days of pretreatment, isoproterenol (100 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously to rats at an interval of 24 h for 2 days to induce myocardial infarction. Electrocardiographical abnormalities and biomarkers were measured in normal and experimental rats. Isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarcted rats showed significant (p<0.05) increase in the levels of cardiac markers. Pretreatment with morin regulated the abnormalities in electrocardiograph and biomarkers. The lipid peroxidation products were increased and indicated the increased lipid peroxidation in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarcted rats. The rats pretreated with morin significantly reduced lipid peroxidation. The altered lipid metabolism was observed in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarcted rats and in pretreatment with morin-regulated lipid metabolism. Histopathological study evidenced that the pretreatment with morin inhibited myocardial damage. The results of this study proved the protective effect of morin as pretreatment and are rational to understand the beneficial effects of morin on cardioprotection against myocardial injury. Based on the results, the cardioprotective ability of morin on human beings can be studied in the future.     

Protective effects of combination of quercetin and α-tocopherol on mitochondrial dysfunction and myocardial infarct size in isoproterenol-treated myocardial infarcted rats: biochemical, transmission electron microscopic, and macroscopic enzyme mapping evidences

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role in the pathology of myocardial infarction. We evaluated the combined protective effects of quercetin and α-tocopherol on mitochondrial damage and myocardial infarct size in isoproterenol-induced myocardia- infarcted rats. Rats were pretreated with quercetin (10 mg/kg) alone, α-tocopherol (10 mg/kg) alone, and combination of quercetin (10 mg/kg) and α-tocopherol (10 mg/kg) orally using an intragastric tube daily for 14 days. After pretreatment, rats were induced myocardial infarction by isoproterenol (100 mg/kg) at an interval of 24 h for 2 days. Isoproterenol treatment caused significant increase in mitochondrial lipid peroxides with significant decrease in mitochondrial antioxidants. Significant decrease in the activities of isocitrate, succinate, malate, and α-ketoglutarate and NADH dehydrogenases and cytochrome-c-oxidase, significant increase in calcium, and significant decrease in adenosine triphosphate were observed in mitochondria of myocardial infarcted rats. Combined pretreatment with quercetin and α-tocopherol normalized all the biochemical parameters and preserved the integrity of heart tissue and restored normal mitochondrial function in myocardial-infarcted rats. Transmission electron microscopic findings on heart mitochondria and macroscopic enzyme mapping assay on the size of myocardial infarct also correlated with these biochemical parameters. The present study showed that combined pretreatment was highly effective than single pretreatment.     

Preventive effect of (−)epigallocatechin gallate on lipids,lipoproteins, and enzymes of lipid metabolism in isoproterenol‐induced myocardial infarction in rats

This article reports data on the preventive effect of (?)epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on lipid metabolism and lipoproteins in isoproterenol (ISO)‐induced myocardial infarction (MI) in Wistar rats. The rats were induced MI by ISO (100 mg/kg) at an interval of 24 h for 2 days. EGCG (30 mg/kg) was given to rats as pretreatment for 21 days orally using an intragastric tube. EGCG significantly reduced the increased serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids in the heart and serum phospholipids (PLs) in ISO‐treated rats. It also significantly increased the reduced levels of heart PLs in ISO‐induced rats. EGCG reduced the levels of serum low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and increased serum high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol in ISO‐treated rats. It also reduced the increased cholesterol/PL ratio and atherogenic index and significantly increased the reduced ratio of HDL‐cholesterol/total cholesterol. Also EGCG significantly increased the reduced activity of lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase in ISO‐treated rats. Thus, EGCG prevented the accumulation of lipids and altered the levels of lipoproteins in myocardial‐infarcted rats. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 23:387–393, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20302     

Protective effects of N-acetyl cysteine on lipid peroxide metabolism on isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarcted rats

The present study was designed to evaluate the preventive effects of N-acetyl cysteine on lipid peroxide metabolism in isoproterenol (ISO) induced myocardial infarcted rats. Male albino Wistar rats were pretreated with N-acetyl cysteine (5 and 10 mg/kg) daily for a period of 14 days. After the pretreatment period, ISO (100 mg/kg) was subcutaneously injected to rats twice at an interval of 24 h. Increased activities of serum creatine kinase, creatine kinase-MB, lactate dehydrogenase, and increased intensities of serum lactate dehydrogenase-isoenzyme bands (LDH-1, LDH-2) were observed in ISO-induced rats. The heart lipid peroxidation products were significantly increased, and the antioxidant system was significantly reduced in ISO-induced rats. Pretreatment with N-acetyl cysteine (5 and 10 mg/kg) to ISO-induced rats showed significant effects on all the biochemical parameters studied. Histopathological findings of the myocardium also showed the protective role of N-acetyl cysteine in ISO-induced rats. Furthermore, in vitro study confirmed the potent-free radical scavenging activity of N-acetyl cysteine. The effect at a dose of 10 mg/kg of N-acetyl cysteine was more pronounced than the dose, 5 mg/kg. The results of our study show that N-acetyl cysteine protects the heart against ISO-induced myocardial infarction by its free radical scavenging effect.     

Synergistic interactions of Ferulic acid with Ascorbic acid: Its cardioprotective role during isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction in rats

Studies on the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant changes and their significance during myocardial injury have provided a new insight into the pathogenesis of heart disease. The heart failure subsequent to myocardial infarction may be associated with an antioxidant deficit as well as increased myocardial oxidative stress. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of the combination of ferulic acid and ascorbic acid on antioxidant defense system and lipid peroxidation against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction in rats. Induction of rats with isoproterenol (150 mg/kg body weight daily, i.p.) for 2 days resulted in a marked elevation in lipid peroxidation, serum marker enzymes (LDH, CPK, GOT, and GPT), and a significant decrease in activities of endogenous antioxidants (SOD, GPx, GST, CAT, and GSH). Pre-co-treatment with the combination of ferulic acid (20 mg/kg body weight/day) and ascorbic acid (80 mg/kg body weight/day) orally for 6 days, significantly attenuated these changes when compared to the individual treatment groups. Histopathological observations were also in correlation with the biochemical parameters. Thus, ferulic acid and ascorbic acid significantly counteracted the pronounced oxidative stress effect of ISO by the inhibition of lipid peroxidation, restoration of antioxidant status, and myocardial marker enzymes levels. In conclusion, these findings indicate the synergistic protective effect of ferulic acid and ascorbic acid on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense system during ISO-induced myocardial infarction and associated oxidative stress in rats.     

Protective Effect of Fish Oil on Changes in the Activities of Membrane-Bound ATPases and Mineral Status in Experimentally Induced Myocardial Infarction in Wistar Rats

The present study evaluated the protective effect of fish oil in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats. The results of the present study indicate that the IPH administration decreases the activities of membrane-bound ATPases compared to control animals. Fish oil pretreatment brought about significant increase in the activity of these membrane-bound ATPases in IPH (isoproterenol hydrochloride)-treated animals. Significant increase in serum potassium level with concomitant decrease in the values of sodium, magnesium, and calcium were observed in IPH-treated rats compared to control rats, fish oil pretreatment reversed these changes to near normal. Significant elevation of sodium and calcium levels with concomitant decrease in the levels of potassium and magnesium were observed in the myocardial tissue of IPH-administered rats compared to control rats, fish oil pretreatment followed by IPH administration brought these levels to near normal. The levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in both serum and tissue were increased in IPH-treated rats compared with control rats, whereas pretreatment with fish oil in IPH-treated rats maintained near-normal LPO levels. The results of the present study reveals that the pretreatment of fish maintains the activities of membrane-bound ATPases and the mineral levels at near normal by the inhibition of lipid peroxidation     

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells protected post‐infarcted myocardium against arrhythmias via reversing potassium channels remodelling

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) emerge as a promising approach for treating heart diseases. However, the effects of BMSCs‐based therapy on cardiac electrophysiology disorders after myocardial infarction were largely unclear. This study was aimed to investigate whether BMSCs transplantation prevents cardiac arrhythmias and reverses potassium channels remodelling in post‐infarcted hearts. Myocardial infarction was established in male SD rats, and BMSCs were then intramyocardially transplanted into the infarcted hearts after 3 days. Cardiac electrophysiological properties in the border zone were evaluated by western blotting and whole‐cell patch clamp technique after 2 weeks. We found that BMSCs transplantation ameliorated the increased heart weight index and the impaired LV function. The survival of infarcted rats was also improved after BMSCs transplantation. Importantly, electrical stimulation‐induced arrhythmias were less observed in BMSCs‐transplanted infarcted rats compared with rats without BMSCs treatment. Furthermore, BMSCs transplantation effectively inhibited the prolongation of action potential duration and the reduction of transient and sustained outward potassium currents in ventricular myocytes in post‐infarcted rats. Consistently, BMSCs‐transplanted infarcted hearts exhibited the increased expression of K_V4.2, K_V4.3, K_V1.5 and K_V2.1 proteins when compared to infarcted hearts. Moreover, intracellular free calcium level, calcineurin and nuclear NFATc3 protein expression were shown to be increased in infarcted hearts, which was inhibited by BMSCs transplantation. Collectively, BMSCs transplantation prevented ventricular arrhythmias by reversing cardiac potassium channels remodelling in post‐infarcted hearts.     

Protective effects of caffeic acid on lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes, electrocardiogram, adenosine triphosphatases, and hematology on isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarcted rats

The present study aims to evaluate the protective effects of caffeic acid on isoproterenol-treated myocardial infarction. Male albino Wistar rats were pretreated with caffeic acid (15 mg/kg) daily for 10 days. After the pretreatment, rats were injected with isoproterenol (100 mg/kg) at an interval of 24 h for 2 days to induce myocardial infarction. Isoproterenol-treated rats showed increased intensity of lactate dehydrogenase-1 and 2 isoenzyme bands and elevated ST segments. The activity of the heart sodium potassium adenosine triphosphatase was decreased, and the activities of the heart magnesium adenosine triphosphatase and calcium adenosine triphosphatase were increased in isoproterenol-treated rats. Isoproterenol-treated rats also showed a significant increase in the concentration of heart calcium. Furthermore, it significantly increased the counts of red blood cells, hemoglobin, white blood cells, and neutrophils and decreased significantly the concentration of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the counts of lymphocytes and eosinophils. Pretreatment with caffeic acid showed protective effects on all the biochemical parameters, hematology and minimized alterations in lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes and electrocardiogram. In vitro study confirmed the free radical scavenging potential of caffeic acid. The observed effects might be due to the free radical scavenging and membrane-stabilizing property of caffeic acid.     

Sitagliptin attenuates sympathetic innervation via modulating reactive oxygen species and interstitial adenosine in infarcted rat hearts

We investigated whether sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitor, attenuates arrhythmias through inhibiting nerve growth factor (NGF) expression in post‐infarcted normoglycemic rats, focusing on adenosine and reactive oxygen species production. DPP‐4 bound adenosine deaminase has been shown to catalyse extracellular adenosine to inosine. DPP‐4 inhibitors increased adenosine levels by inhibiting the complex formation. Normoglycemic male Wistar rats were subjected to coronary ligation and then randomized to either saline or sitagliptin in in vivo and ex vivo studies. Post‐infarction was associated with increased oxidative stress, as measured by myocardial superoxide, nitrotyrosine and dihydroethidium fluorescent staining. Measurement of myocardial norepinephrine levels revealed a significant elevation in vehicle‐treated infarcted rats compared with sham. Compared with vehicle, infarcted rats treated with sitagliptin significantly increased interstitial adenosine levels and attenuated oxidative stress. Sympathetic hyperinnervation was blunted after administering sitagliptin, as assessed by immunofluorescent analysis and western blotting and real‐time quantitative RT‐PCR of NGF. Arrhythmic scores in the sitagliptin‐treated infarcted rats were significantly lower than those in vehicle. Ex vivo studies showed a similar effect of erythro‐9‐(2‐hydroxy‐3‐nonyl) adenine (an adenosine deaminase inhibitor) to sitagliptin on attenuated levels of superoxide and NGF. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of sitagliptin on superoxide anion production and NGF levels can be reversed by 8‐cyclopentyl‐1,3‐dipropulxanthine (adenosine A₁ receptor antagonist) and exogenous hypoxanthine. Sitagliptin protects ventricular arrhythmias by attenuating sympathetic innervation via adenosine A₁ receptor and xanthine oxidase‐dependent pathways, which converge through the attenuated formation of superoxide in the non‐diabetic infarcted rats.     

Caffeic acid protects rat heart mitochondria against isoproterenol-induced oxidative damage

Cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role in the pathology of myocardial infarction. The protective effects of caffeic acid on mitochondrial dysfunction in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction were studied in Wistar rats. Rats were pretreated with caffeic acid (15 mg/kg) for 10 days. After the pretreatment period, isoproterenol (100 mg/kg) was subcutaneously injected to rats at an interval of 24 h for 2 days to induce myocardial infarction. Isoproterenol-induced rats showed considerable increased levels of serum troponins and heart mitochondrial lipid peroxidation products and considerable decreased glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione. Also, considerably decreased activities of isocitrate, succinate, malate, α-ketoglutarate, and NADH dehydrogenases and cytochrome-C-oxidase were observed in the mitochondria of myocardial-infarcted rats. The mitochondrial calcium, cholesterol, free fatty acids, and triglycerides were considerably increased and adenosine triphosphate and phospholipids were considerably decreased in isoproterenol-induced rats. Caffeic acid pretreatment showed considerable protective effects on all the biochemical parameters studied. Myocardial infarct size was much reduced in caffeic acid pretreated isoproterenol-induced rats. Transmission electron microscopic findings also confirmed the protective effects of caffeic acid. The possible mechanisms of caffeic acid on cardiac mitochondria protection might be due to decreasing free radicals, increasing multienzyme activities, reduced glutathione, and adenosine triphosphate levels and maintaining lipids and calcium. In vitro studies also confirmed the free-radical-scavenging activity of caffeic acid. Thus, caffeic acid protected rat’s heart mitochondria against isoproterenol-induced damage. This study may have a significant impact on myocardial-infarcted patients.