Cellular and molecular approaches to enhance myocardial recovery after myocardial infarction

Effects of daidzein on rat ovary against ischemia-reperfusion

PURPOSE

Our aim was to investigate protective effects of daidzein treatment on ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury-induced ovarian tissue by immunohistochemical techniques.

METHODS

Thirty Sprague Dawley female rats were categorized into three groups as sham, I/R group, and I/R+daidzein groups. Bloods were analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH), and myeloperoxidase (MPO), and ovaries were processed for histological tissue protocol.

RESULTS

Both MDA and MPO values were increased in I/R group compared to sham and I/R+daidzein groups. GSH content was increased in I/R+daidzein group compared to I/R groups. In I/R group, theca and follicular cells were degenerated with apoptosis and dilatation and congestion, edema. In I/R+daidzein group, daidzein improved pathologies. In the I/R group, Bax expression was positive with follicular cells, granulosa cells and inflammatory cells. In the I/R+daidzein group, positive Bax reaction was observed in the epithelial, antral, and inflammatory cells. In I/R group, Bcl-2 reaction was in germinative epithelial cells, cells of antral follicle. In the I/R+daidzein group, Bcl-2 expression level was reduced after daidzein treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

After the I/R procedure, ovarian cells and follicles were degenerated with apoptosis and inflammation. After daidzein treatment, Bax and Bcl-2 signal were decreased. It was observed that daidzein stopped the apoptotic process.

Homocysteine, Vitamins B6 and Folic Acid in Experimental Models of Myocardial Infarction and Heart Failure—How Strong Is That Link?

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death and the main cause of disability. In the last decade, homocysteine has been found to be a risk factor or a marker for cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction (MI) and heart failure (HF). There are indications that vitamin B6 plays a significant role in the process of transsulfuration in homocysteine metabolism, specifically, in a part of the reaction in which homocysteine transfers a sulfhydryl group to serine to form α-ketobutyrate and cysteine. Therefore, an elevated homocysteine concentration (hyperhomocysteinemia) could be a consequence of vitamin B6 and/or folate deficiency. Hyperhomocysteinemia in turn could damage the endothelium and the blood vessel wall and induce worsening of atherosclerotic process, having a negative impact on the mechanisms underlying MI and HF, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and altered function of gasotransmitters. Given the importance of the vitamin B6 in homocysteine metabolism, in this paper, we review its role in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, influencing the functions of gasotransmitters, and improving vasodilatation and coronary flow in animal models of MI and HF.