Cardioprotective effects and pharmacokinetic properties of a controlled release formulation of a novel hydrogen sulfide donor in rats with acute myocardial infarction

We previously reported that S-propargyl-cysteine (SPRC) exerts cardioprotective effects by elevating H₂S levels via the CSE/H₂S pathway. In the present study, we investigated the cardioprotective effects and pharmacokinetic properties of a controlled release formulation of SPRC (CR-SPRC) in an in vivo rat model of myocardial infarction (MI). Rats were randomly assigned to seven groups that were pre-treated with CR-SPRC daily for 7 days prior to ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery to induce MI. Cardiac function and infarct size were determined after MI, and we examined the activity of antioxidant enzymes, expression of anti-inflammation proteins and hydrogen sulfide levels. Mixed-mode, reversed-phase and cation-exchange HPLC–MS/MS were used to compare the pharmacokinetic properties of CR-SPRC and SPRC. CR-SPRC significantly reduced infarct size and creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage and it preserved cardiac function during MI. CR-SPRC displayed antioxidant properties, preserving glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels whereas reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Moreover, CR-SPRC significantly reduced the protein levels of inflammatory biomarkers (phospho-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65, TNF-α) and increased cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) and Iκ-Bα protein levels. CR-SPRC had better pharmacokinetic properties than SPRC, with a reduced concentration peak (C_max), prolonged time to reach peak concentration (T_max), prolonged mean residence time (MRT_inf) and increased AUC_0–t. CR-SPRC showed protective effects against MI via the CSE/H₂S pathway and demonstrated better cardioprotective effects than SPRC by prolonging the release of endogenous H₂S.