Effect of fluvastatin on left ventricular remodeling and caspase-3 expression after myocardial infarction in rats

AIM: To observe the effect of fluvastatin (FV) on left ventricular remodeling and expression of caspase-3 after myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. METHODS: Rats were divided into 4 groups: group Ⅰ (sham), group Ⅱ (sham+FV), group Ⅲ (MI) and group Ⅳ (MI+FV). group Ⅱ and Ⅳ were treated with FV (10 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) for 4 weeks. The left ventricular structure, echocardiography and hydroxyproline were observed. The expression of caspase-3 was measured by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. RESULTS: Compared with MI group, there was a improvement of ultrastructure and index of left ventricular remodeling, and decrease in hydroxyproline in MI+FV group (all P<0.05). The number of caspase-3 positive cells also decreased in MI+FV group, and RT-PCR showed the level of caspase-3 mRNA expression was lower than that in MI group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Fluvastatin improves left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction, decreases the expression of caspase-3 and inhibits apoptosis.     

Effects of angiotensionⅡon metalloproteinases and matrix in hypertrophied myocardium from infarcted rats

AIM: To investigate the roles of angiotensionⅡ (AngⅡ) receptors (AT₁, AT₂) antagonists on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and extracellular matrix (ECM) system in septal myocardium from infarcted rats.METHODS: The model of rat myocardium infarction (MI) was established by permanent ligation of the left coronary artery. The treatments of the AT₁ receptor antagonist valsartan (10 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) or AT₂ receptor antagonist PD123319 (30 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) were started 7 days prior to surgery. On day 14 after MI, protein levels of MMP-2, 3, 9, fibronectin (FN), tenascin-C (TN-C) in interventricular septum (IS) were determined. The distributions of FN and TN-C were also determined by immunofluorescence.RESULTS: Pathological changes of IS on day 14 after MI showed typical myocardial hypertrophy. Protein expressions of MMP-2, 3, 9 and TN-C of IS in banding group were higher than those in sham-operation group (P<0.01). The expressions of TIMP-1 and FN were lower than those in sham-operation group (P<0.01). Protein expressions of MMP-2, 3, 9 and TN-C in valsartan group were obviously lower than those in banding and PD123319 groups (P<0.01). TIMP-1 and FN protein expressions in valsartan group were higher than those in banding and PD123319 groups (P<0.01). No difference between banding and PD123319 groups was observed (P>0.05).CONCLUSION: AngⅡis involved in myocardium remodeling in infarcted rats, which is mediated via AT₁ receptor to degrade matrix by MMPs. The heart protection of AT₁ receptor antagonists may relate to inhibition of MMPs.     

Effects of soluble transforming growth factor-β type Ⅱ receptor on cardiac functions after myocardial infarction in rats

AIM: To observe the effects of soluble transforming growth factor-β type Ⅱ receptor (sTGFβRⅡ) on cardiac functions after myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. METHODS: MI was induced in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. The rats surviving to the third day after MI were included in the study and randomly divided into MI group, pAd-sTGFβRⅡ group (transfected with recombinant adenovirus vector expressing the extracellular domain gene of TGF-βRⅡ), vector group and sham group. Four weeks later, the heart rate (HR), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic dimension (LVESD) and ejection fraction (EF) were evaluated by echocardiograms. The expression of sTGFβRⅡ in myocardial tissues was observed under fluorescence microscope by frozen sectioning, and the expression of typeⅠ and Ⅲ collagens was observed by Sirius red-saturated picric acid staining. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) at mRNA and protein levels was determined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical method. The activity of MMP-9 was assayed by gelatin zymography. RESULTS: Compared with sham group, HR, LVEDD, LVESD, typeⅠ and Ⅲ collagen, mRNA and protein of MMP-9, and the activity of MMP-9 increased significantly (P<0.01), and EF decreased (P<0.01) in MI group and vector group. Compared with MI group, EF was increased (P<0.01), but HR, LVEDD, LVESD, typeⅠ and Ⅲ collagen, mRNA and protein expression of MMP-9 and the activity of MMP-9 decreased significantly (P<0.01) in pAd-sTGFβRⅡ group, and all the parameters above were still higher than those in sham group. CONCLUSION: sTGFβRⅡ intervention improves the cardiac functions after MI by inhibiting TGF-β-mediated MMP-9 expression.     

Effect of PPARδ activation on expression of MMP-9 and fibronectin in infarcted myocardium

AIM:To investigate the effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) activation with dietary GW610742X on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and fibronectin (FN) in infarcted and remodeling myocardium. METHODS: Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: control group, sham group, myocardial infarction (MI) group and MI+GW610742X (GW) group. The left coronary artery was ligated to establish the MI model. PPARδ activator GW610742X (100 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) was given to the rats in GW group. At the 3rd month of the procedure, the expression of PPARδ, MMP-9 and FN at mRNA and protein levels in the left ventricular free wall(LVFW) of the heart from each group was identified and the distribution of FN was detected by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: After 3 months following the procedure, obvious necrosis and fibrosis in LVFW were observed in MI group. The expression of PPARδ in MI group was higher than that in control, sham and GW groups (P<0.01), and PPARδ expression in GW group was lower than that in control and sham group (P<0.05). In MI and GW groups, the expression of MMP-9 was higher while the expression of FN was lower than those in control and sham group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In GW group, the expression of MMP-9 was lower (P<0.05) while the expression of FN was higher (P<0.01) than those in MI group. Meanwhile, the expression of MMP-9 and FN in sham group was similar to those in control group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: MMP-9 is upregulated and FN is downregulated in infarcted myocardium during the remodeling process. Activation of PPARδ inhibits the upregulation of MMP-9 and degradation of FN, thus ameliorating the myocardial remodeling.     

Effects of celecoxib on cardiac myocyte apoptosis after myocardial infarction

AIM: To investigate the effects of celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, on antioxidative capability and apoptosis of cardiac myocytes after myocardial infarction. METHODS: 24 New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups randomly (8 in each group): sham-operated group (sham group), myocardial infarction group (MI group), celecoxib group (Cele group, 10 mg kg^-1·d^-1, qd, with the drugs gastric gavage for six weeks). The NO concentration, total antioxidative capability (T-AOC), the activity of constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS) in cardiac tissue homogenate, adjacent to the infracted area, were detected. The pathological changes were observed by light microscope and electron microscopy. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax protein in myocytes were observed using immunohistochemistry, and the degree of apoptosis were examined by TUNEL. RESULTS: Cardiac tissue in MI group presented interstitial edema, fibroplastic proliferation, inflammatory cellular infiltration, and vacuolar degeneration in cardiac myocytes. The results of electron microscopy showed that myocytes presented more changes caused by ischemic injury: widened interspace of myofibril, disordered myofibrillae, focal lysis of myofilament, ectasia of sarcoplasmic reticulum. In Cele group, the pathological changes were light, the NO^-₂/ NO^-₃ concentration, the activity of iNOS were lower (P<0.05), while the activity of cNOS and T-AOC were higher (P<0.05) than those in MI group. The expression rate of Bcl-2 protein in Cele group was higher than that in MI group, while the Bax was lower (P<0.01). The number of apoptotic myocytes was lower than that in MI group (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Celecoxib decreases the number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes and increases the antioxidative capability after myocardial infarction.     

Role of bradykinin in the therapeutic effect of enalapril on left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiac function after myocardial infarction in rats

AIM:To investigate the influences of bradykinin(BK)on left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiac function in angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor(ACEI) therapy in rats after myocardial infarction.METHODS:The effects of enalapril (500 μg·kg^-1·d^-1), enalapril (500 μg·kg^-1·d^-1)with BKB₂ receptor antagonist (Hoe-140 500 μg·kg^-1·d^-1), losartan(3 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) on left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), maximum positive left ventricular pressure change (+dp/dt_max) and LVW/BW as well as V(m)n of noinfarcted area were examined after 4 weeks treatment in rats after myocardial infarction.RESULTS:The values of LVEDP, LVW/BW and V(m)n of three treatment groups were higher than that of untreated MI group (P＜0.05),but the +dp/dt_max of three treatment groups were not significantly different compared with the untreated MI group. In addition, no significant difference in MAP was observed among the three treatment groups, but the LVW/BW and V(m)n of enalapril+Hoe-140-treated group were higher than that of enalapril-treated group (P＜0.05) .CONCLUSION:Enalapril can prevent left ventricular hypertrophy and improve cardiac function independent of blood pressure after myocardial infarction, which is partly due to the inhibition of BK degradation.     

Effects of the calpain system expression on atrial structural remodeling in canine with atrial fibrillation

AIM: To evaluate the influence of the calpain system mRNA and protein expression on the progress of atrial structural remodeling in fibrillating canine.METHODS: 17 dogs were randomly divided into 2 groups: normal control group (SR,n=6) and atrial fibrillation (AF,n=11) group.AF was induced by rapid pacing for 8 weeks and all dogs underwent transthoratic echocardiography before and after rapid pacing.The mRNA and protein expression of calpainⅠ,calpainⅡand calpastatin were assessed by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting,respectively.RESULTS: Compared with SR group,the left atrial diameters and the content of calcium in atrial myocardium increased significantly in AF group (P<0.05).There was no significant difference in mRNA expression of calpainⅠand calpainⅡ (P>0.05) between two groups.The expression of calpastatin mRNA was upregulated significantly in AF group (P<0.05).The levels of calpainⅠand calpainⅡprotein were significantly increased in AF group compared with SR group (P<0.05).The expression of calpastatin protein was significantly decreased in AF group (P<0.05).The calpainⅠand calpainⅡprotein levels were positively correlated with the left atrial diameter.The calpastatin protein level was negatively correlated with the left atrial diameter (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The changes of the calpain system protein expression in AF result in the disturbance of calpain/calpastatin system and degradation of many proteins,which may play an important role in mechanism of atrial remodeling.     

Effect of amiodarone and metoprolol on platelet activation,fibrinolytic activity and vasoactive mediators in acute myocardial infarction in rabbits

AIM:To explore the significance of platelet activation, fibrinolytic activity and the changes of vasoactive mediators in acute myocardial infarction in rabbits and the intervention of amiodarone and metoprolol.METHODS:Fifty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to five groups, ten for each. Group Ⅰ: sham group, group Ⅱ: acute myocardial infarction(AMI) group, group Ⅲ: AMI and lidocaine group, group Ⅳ: AMI and amiodarone group, group Ⅴ: AMI and metoprolol group.The middle point of left ventricular coronary artery was ligated (groupⅡ,Ⅲ, Ⅳ and Ⅴ ) or a sham ligation(group Ⅰ). Four hours later, blood was collected for measuring plasma concentration of TXB₂, 6-Keto-PGF_1α, ET, NO, plasma activity of t-Pa and PAI.After that, the heart was taken out to evaluate the infarction size(IS).RESULTS:Plasma concentration of TXB₂, ET, NO and plasma activity of PAI were significantly higher in groupⅡ,Ⅲ, Ⅳ and Ⅴ than those in group Ⅰ(P＜0.01), but the plasma concentration of 6-Keto-PGF_1α and plasma activity of t-Pa were remarkably lower in groupⅡ,Ⅲ, Ⅳ and Ⅴ than those in group Ⅰ(P＜0.01). There were no difference in plasma concentration of TXB₂, 6-Keto-PGF_1α, t-Pa activity and infarction size in group Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ(P＞0.05).Compared to group Ⅱ, plasma concentration of ET, NO and PAI activity were significantly decresed (P＜0.01)in group Ⅳ. Plasma concentration of TXB₂, ET, NO and plasma activity of PAI were significantly lower in groupⅤ than those in group Ⅱ(P＜0.01). Conversely, plasma concentration of 6-Keto-PGF1 and plasma activity of t-Pa were remarkably higher in group Ⅴ than those in group Ⅱ(P＜0.01). The infarction size was remarkly decrease(P＜0.01)in group Ⅴ.CONCLUSIONS:Amiodarone inhibited PAI avtivity, decreased release of ET and NO in AMI in rabbits. Metoprolol inhibited platelet activation, improved fibrinolytic, decreased release of ET and NO, and reduced myocardial infarction size in AMI in rabbits; Lidocaine had no effect above.     

Effects of noninvasive delayed limb ischemic preconditioning on prognosis of myocardial infarction

AIM: To study the effects of noninvasive delayed limb ischemia preconditioning (NDLIP) on animal cardiac function, myocardial morphology and myocardial apoptosis after myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: Healthy SD male rats[n=45, weighing (250±10) g] were randomly divided into 3 groups:MI group:the animal model of MI was established by surgical ligation of left anterior descending artery (LAD) after 2 weeks; NDLIP group:after the success of the MI animal model, NDLIP was carried out every other day until the 4th, 6th and 8th weeks; sham group:as the negative control group, the animals were taken heart LAD threading but no ligation. All rats were fed conventionally. At the end of the 4th, 6th and 8th weeks, all rats were made ventricular intubation, and then the hemodynamic parameters were recorded. The blood samples were withdrawn from the abdominal aorta and the serum was separated via centrifugation. The serum contents of Bcl-2 and Bax were measured by ELISA. Left ventricular anterior wall was homogenized. The mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ in the myocardial tissues were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: At the end of the 4th, 6th and 8th weeks, compared with MI group, left ventricular systolic pressure in NDLIP group was significantly increased, while left ventricular end-diastolic pressure in NDLIP group was significantly decreased (both P<0.05). Mitochondrial respiratory chain complexesⅠ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ in NDLIP group were significantly increased (P<0.05). The serum level of Bcl-2 in NDLIP group was significantly increased and Bax level was reduced remarkably (both P<0.01). CONCLUSION: NDLIP improves the hemodynamic indexes, promotes the mitochondrial respiratory function and inhibits cell apoptosis, thus improving the prognosis of MI.     

Changes of cytokine and collagen in the myocardial remodeling after acute myocardial infarction in rats

AIM:To clarify the relationship between the cytokine and collagen in myocardial remodeling after acute myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. METHODS:In MI group, Wistar rats were undergone acute myocardial infarction by ligation of the anterior descending coronary artery. Sham operation was made in rats as control. The mRNA expression of collagen and cytokines such as TNF-α and TGF-β1 in infract and non-infarct region of left myocardium were detected by RT-PCR at different time point (3 d, 1 and 4 weeks). RESULTS:Collagen type Ⅰ and Ⅲ elevated as well as the TNF-α and TGF-β1 in the MI group at 3th day. Expression of collagen type Ⅰ and Ⅲ were higher in the infarct region than that in the non-infarct region even at 4 weeks. TNF-α and TGF-β1 peaked at 1 week and declined gradually to the baseline, which was still higher than those in control group (P<0.01). Correlation analysis revealed that expressions of TNF-α and TGF-β1 were positively correlated with the collagen type Ⅰand Ⅲ (P<0.01). CONCLUSION:Cytokines participate in the myocardial remodeling after MI. Interfering with expression of cytokines may be the potentially preventative method in the myocardial remodeling.