Boeravinone B alleviates gut dysbiosis during myocardial infarction-induced cardiotoxicity in rats

Protective effects of 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic acid on myocardial infarction induced by isoproterenol in rats

Despite considerable advances in interventions and treatment, there is a high mortality rate in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). This is the first study to investigate the protective effects of 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic acid against isoproterenol induced MI in rats. MI was induced by isoproterenol (100-mg/kg body weight) in rats. Then, rats were treated with 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (16-mg/kg body weight) for 2 weeks. Serum creatine kinase-MB, cardiac troponin-T, cardiac troponin-I, and heart thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were significantly (p < 0.05) increased and heart superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarcted rats. Isoproterenol induction significantly (p < 0.05) elevated the plasma homocysteine and serum high sensitivity-C-reactive protein levels. Furthermore, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcription polymerase chain study, and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining revealed significantly (p < 0.05) elevated levels and expression of serum/myocardial nuclear factor-κB, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and Interleukin-6 and significantly (p < 0.05) reduced levels/expression of serum/myocardial interleukin-10 in myocardial infarcted rats. Nevertheless, isoproterenol-induced rats treated with 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic acid considerably (p < 0.05) attenuated all the biochemical, molecular, and IHC parameters investigated and inhibited oxidative stress and inflammation and protected the heart, through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Cardioprotective Effects of α-Asarone Against Hexavalent Chromium-Induced Oxidative Damage in Mice

Introduction

This comprehensive study investigated the therapeutic potential of α-asarone in mitigating myocardial oxidative damage, primarily induced by hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) exposure in mice.

Methods

In this experiment, 24 mice were divided into four groups to assess the cardioprotective role of α-asarone. The study focused on two treatment groups, receiving 25 mg and 50 mg of α-asarone, respectively. These groups were compared against a control group subjected to Cr(VI) without α-asarone treatment, and a normal control negative group. The key biochemical parameters evaluated included serum levels of Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB) and Troponin I, markers indicative of myocardial damage. Additionally, the levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured to assess lipid peroxidation, alongside the evaluation of key inflammatory biomarkers in cardiac tissue homogenates, such as Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Results Remarkably, α-asarone treatment resulted in a significant reduction in these markers compared to the control group. The treatment also elevated the activity of cardinal antioxidant enzymes like catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced the glutathione (GSH). Furthermore, a notable upregulation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPAR-γ) in cardiac tissue homogenates was observed, highlighting a potential pathway through which α-asarone exerts its protective effects. Histopathological analysis of cardiac tissues revealed that α-asarone ameliorated the structural lesions induced by Cr(VI). The study thus provides substantial evidence that α-asarone ameliorates Cr(VI)-induced cardiotoxicity through a multifaceted approach. It enhances cardiac enzyme function, modulates free radical generation, improves antioxidant status, and mitigates histopathological damage in cardiac tissues. Given these findings, α-asarone emerges as a promising agent against Cr(VI)-induced myocardial injury.

Purpose

This study paves the way for further research into the cardioprotective properties of α-asarone and its potential application in clinical settings by specifically exploring the protective efficacy of α-asarone against Cr(VI)-induced cardiotoxicity and delineating the underlying biochemical and molecular mechanisms involved.

Protective effects of 4-methylumbelliferone on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats through inhibition of oxidative stress and downregulation of TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MI/R) has been found to be one of the important risk factors for global cardiac mortality and morbidity. The study was conducted to inquire into the protective effect of 4-methylumbilliferon (4-MU) against MI/R in rats and clarify its potential underlying mechanism. Animals were divided into four groups (n = 15) including sham, MI/R, MI/R + vehicle, and MI/R + 4-MU. MI/R was established in Wistar rats by occluding the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery for 30 min. 4-MU (25 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally before the induction of reperfusion. Cardiac function, fibrosis, oxidant/antioxidant markers, and inflammatory cytokines were evaluated using echocardiography, ELISA, and Western blot assay. As a result of MI/R induction, a decrease in left ventricular contractile function occurred along with increased cardiac fibrosis and tissue damage. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-18 increased, while IL-10 decreased. Oxidant/antioxidant changes were evident with increased MDA levels and decreased GSH, SOD, and CAT in the MI/R group. Furthermore, the protein levels of TLR4, NF-κB, and NLRP3 were significantly increased in the heart tissue of MI/R group. Treatment with 4-MU significantly prevented the reduction of cardiac contractile function and its pathological changes as a result of MI/R by inhibiting the increase of serum inflammatory factors and improving the oxidant/antioxidant balance probably through the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 axis. The results of a current study showed that 4-MU had a potential ability to attenuate the cardiac injury by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in a TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3-dependent mechanism.

The relationship between cardiac oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokine response, cardiac pump function, and prognosis post-myocardial infarction

This study delves into the potential connections between cardiac oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokine response, cardiac pump function, and prognosis in individuals following myocardial infarction. A total of 276 patients were categorized into two groups: the control group (n = 130) and the observation group (n = 146), based on the drug intervention strategies. The control group received standard drug treatment, while the observation group received early drug intervention targeting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory treatment in addition to standard treatment. Serum levels of inflammatory factors, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-9 (IL-6), were assessed using enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The Forkhead Box Protein A2 (FOX2) reagent was used to determine the overall oxidation level. Left Ventricular End-Diastolic Diameter (LVEDD), Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF), and End-Systolic Diameter (ESD) were measured using Doppler ultrasound. The observation group exhibited significantly reduced serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the observation group exerted lower total oxidation levels, OSI, EDD, and ESD compared to the control group (P < 0.05), while the LVEF and TAS levels in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Remarkably, the observation group experienced a significant reduction in the incidences of reinfarction, heart failure, arrhythmia, and abnormal valve function compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Decreased cardiac pump function and a more unfavorable prognosis were associated with elevated levels of cardiac oxidative stress and inflammatory factors (P < 0.05). Timely intervention with appropriate medications have a crucial effect in decreasing inflammatory marker levels, mitigating oxidative pressure, and enhancing cardiac pumping capacity and overall prognosis.

Protective Effects of 2-Methoxyestradiol on Acute Isoproterenol-Induced Cardiac Injury in Rats

Myocardial injury (MI) is an important pathological driver of mortality worldwide., and arises as a result of imbalances between myocardial oxygen demand and supply. In MI, oxidative stress often leads to inflammatory changes and apoptosis. Current therapies for MI are known to cause various adverse effects. Consequently, the development of new therapeutic agents with a reduced adverse event profile is necessary. In this regard, 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME), the metabolic end-product of oestradiol, possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The aim of this research is to assess the impact of 2ME on cardiac injury caused by isoproterenol (ISO) in rats. Animals were separated into six groups; controls, and those receiving 2ME (1 mg/kg), ISO (85 mg/kg), ISO + 2ME (0.25 mg/kg), ISO + 2ME (0.5 mg/kg), and ISO + 2ME (1 mg/kg). 2ME significantly attenuated ISO-induced changes in electrocardiographic changes and the cardiac histological pattern. This compound also decreased lactate dehydrogenase activity, creatine kinase myocardial band and troponin levels. The ability of 2ME to act as an antioxidant was shown by a decrease in malondialdehyde concentration, and the restoration of glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase activity. Additionally, 2ME antagonized inflammation and cardiac cell apoptosis, a process determined to be mediated, at least partially, by suppression of Gal-3/TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. 2ME offers protection against acute ISO-induced MI in rats and offers a novel therapeutic management option.

Anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective effect of gypenoside against isoproterenol-induced cardiac remodeling in rats via alteration of inflammation and gut microbiota

BACKGROUND

Myocardial infarction (MI), commonly referred to as a heart attack, occurs when the blood flow to a portion of the heart is blocked, causing damage to the heart muscle. In this study, we scrutinized the cardioprotective effect of gypenoside against the isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial injury (MI) in the rats.

METHODS

Wistar rats were divided into four groups as follow: normal, gypenoside (10 mg/kg), ISO control, and ISO control treated with the gypenoside (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg). Various parameters were estimated such as infract size, hemodynamic, inflammatory, antioxidant, cardiac, cytokines, and apoptotic markers. We also estimated the gut microbiota in the faces of the experimental rats. Finally, heart tissue histopathology performed.

RESULT

Dose-dependent treatment of gypenoside significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the infracted size along with suppression of the heart weight and heart ratio along with enhance the body weight. Gypenoside treatment considerably altered the level of cardiac parameters, cardiac membrane stabilizing enzyme, hemodynamic parameters, antioxidant, lipid parameters, hepatic parameters, renal parameters, inflammatory cytokines, and mediators. Gypenoside significantly (P < 0.001) suppressed the level of apoptotic markers such as caspase-3, caspase-6, and caspase-9. Gypenoside significantly (P < 0.001) altered the relative abundance of unclassified bacteria, Tenericutes, Candidatus_Saccharibacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and suppressed the ratio of F/B.

CONCLUSION

Gypenoside acts as a protective phytoconstituents against the ISO-induced myocardial infraction in the rats via alteration of gut microbiota, inflammatory, and oxidative stress.

DNAzyme loaded nano-niosomes attenuate myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by targeting apoptosis, inflammation in a NF-κB dependent mechanism

Although DNAzymes have been found to reduce injury after myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R), their efficiency have been limited due to rapid degradation in vivo. Thus, this study was conducted to extend their half-life by encapsulation into nano‑niosomes and examine their cardioprotective effects in a rat model of myocardial infarction (MI). In order to synthesize nano‑niosomes, surface active agent film hydration method was used. Characterization of nano‑niosomes was performed using the atomic force microscopy (AFM). In order to establish MI/R model in rats, left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was ligated for 30 min. A single dose (150µL) of drug formulations was injected into the infarcted region. The cardiac function was evaluated using echocardiography. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, apoptotic factors, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were evaluated using Western blot and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Particle size of only nano-niosomes was in the range of 60-90 nm, while a shift to 70-110 nm was seen after DNAzyme encapsulation. MI rats treated with DNAzyme‑loaded nano‑niosomes could markedly reduce Bax, caspase3, TNF-α, IL-1β, and NF-κB as well as increase Bcl-2 compared to only MI/R group. Collectively, our finding show that nano‑niosomes can be considered excellent drug delivery platforms to extend half-life and stability of DNAzyme, when it is used to reduce myocardial I/R injury.

Cardioprotective Effect of Flibanserin against Isoproterenol-Induced Myocardial Infarction in Female Rats: Role of Cardiac 5-HT2A Receptor Gene/5-HT/Ca2+ Pathway

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a life-threatening ischemic disease and is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Serotonin (5-HT) release during myocardial ischemia plays an important role in the progression of myocardial cellular injury. This study was conducted to investigate the possible cardioprotective effect of flibanserin (FLP) against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced MI in rats. Rats were randomly divided into five groups and were treated orally (p.o.) with FLP (15, 30, and 45 mg/kg) for 28 days. ISO was administered subcutaneously (S.C.) (85 mg/kg) on the 27th and 28th days to induce MI. ISO-induced myocardial infarcted rats exhibited a significant increase in cardiac markers, oxidative stress markers, cardiac and serum 5-HT levels, and total cardiac calcium (Ca2+) concentration. ISO-induced myocardial infarcted rats also revealed a remarkable alteration of electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern and significantly upregulated expression of the 5-Hydroxytryptamine 2A (5-HT2A) receptors gene. Moreover, ISO-induced myocardial infarcted rats showed significant histopathological findings of MI and hypertrophic signs. However, pretreatment with FLP significantly attenuated the ISO-induced MI in a dose-dependent manner, as the effect of FLP (45 mg/kg) was more pronounced than that of the other two doses, FLP (15 and 30 mg/kg). The present study provides evidence for the cardioprotective efficacy of FLP against ISO-induced MI in rats.

Validation, Optimization and Hepatoprotective Effects of Boeravinone B and Caffeic Acid Compounds from Boerhavia diffusa Linn

Boerhavia diffusa, also known as Punarnava, is a plant of the Nyctaginaceae family that has been utilized in traditional medicine to cure a variety of ailments. The goal of this study was to use response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize the maximum percentage yield of boeravinone B and caffeic acid from Boerhavia diffusa roots, and simultaneous determination of boeravinone B and caffeic acid in newly developed single solvent system and demonstrate the hepatoprotective benefits of boeravinone B and caffeic acid. The extraction process examined extraction time, extraction temperature and solvent concentration, which were optimized via Box–Behnken experimental design. The proposed HPTLC method for the quantification of boeravinone B and caffeic acid were successfully validated and developed. The method was validated in term of linearity and detection limit, quantification limit, range, precision, specificity and accuracy. The separation of boeravinone B and caffeic acid bands was achieved on HPTLC plate using formic acid: ethyl acetate: toluene (1:3:5 v/v) as developing system. Densitometric analyses of boeravinone B and caffeic acid was carried out in the absorbance mode at 254 nm. The maximum percentage yield of caffeic acid and boeravinone B from Boerhavia diffusa require appropriate extraction parameters such as temperature, time, organic solvents and water content, which can be achieved using the Box-Behnken statistical design provide time: temperature: solvent ratio (30:45:40 v/v) for extraction of caffeic acid and 60:60:40 v/v for extraction of boeravinone B. The boeravinone B (200 µg/mL) and caffeic acid (200 µg/mL) showed the most significant hepatoprotective activity compared with standard sylimarin in HepG2 cell induced with galactosamine 40 mM toxicity. The findings supported B. diffusa’s traditional use as a functional food forhuman health benefits.

Gut Microbiota Combined with Metabolites Reveals Unique Features of Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients Different from Stable Coronary Artery Disease

INTRODUCTION

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) accounts for the majority of deaths caused by coronary artery disease (CAD). Early warning of AMI, especially for patients with stable coronary artery disease (sCAD), is urgently needed. Our previous study showed that alterations in the gut microbiota were correlated with CAD severity.

OBJECTIVES

Herein, we tried to discover accurate and convenient biomarkers for AMI by combination of gut microbiota and fecal/blood/urinary metabolomics.

METHODS

We recruited 190 volunteers including 93 sCAD patients, 49 AMI patients, and 48 subjects with normal coronary artery (NCA), and measured their blood biochemical parameters, 16S rRNA-based gut microbiota and NMR-based fecal/blood/urinary metabolites. We further selected 20 subjects from each group and analyzed their gut microbiota by whole-metagenome shotgun sequencing.

RESULTS

Multi-omic analyses revealed that AMI patients exhibited specific changes in gut microbiota and serum/urinary/fecal metabolites as compared to subjects with sCAD or NCA. Fourteen bacterial genera and 30 metabolites (11 in feces, 10 in blood, 9 in urine) were closely related to AMI phenotypes and could accurately distinguish AMI patients from sCAD patients. Some species belonging to Alistipes, Streptococcus, Ruminococcus, Lactobacillus and Faecalibacterium were effective to distinguish AMI from sCAD and their predictive ability was confirmed in an independent cohort of CAD patients. We further selected nine indicators including 4 bacterial genera, 3 fecal and 2 urinary metabolites as a noninvasive biomarker set which can distinguish AMI from sCAD with an AUC of 0.932.

CONCLUSION

Combination of gut microbiota and fecal/urinary metabolites provided a set of potential useful and noninvasive predictive biomarker for AMI from sCAD.

Qiliqiangxin Modulates the Gut Microbiota and NLRP3 Inflammasome to Protect Against Ventricular Remodeling in Heart Failure

Aims: Pathological left ventricular (LV) remodeling induced by multiple causes often triggers fatal cardiac dysfunction, heart failure (HF), and even cardiac death. This study is aimed to investigate whether qiliqiangxin (QL) could improve LV remodeling and protect against HF via modulating gut microbiota and inhibiting nod-like receptor pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation.

Methods: Rats were respectively treated with QL (100 mg/kg/day) or valsartan (1.6 mg/kg/day) by oral gavage after transverse aortic constriction or sham surgery for 13 weeks. Cardiac functions and myocardial fibrosis were assessed. In addition, gut microbial composition was assessed by 16S rDNA sequencing. Furthermore, rats’ hearts were harvested for histopathological and molecular analyses including immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated 2’-deoxyuridine 5’-triphosphated nick end labeling, and Western blot.

Key findings: QL treatment preserved cardiac functions including LV ejection fractions and fractional shortening and markedly improved the LV remodeling. Moreover, HF was related to the gut microbial community reorganization like a reduction in Lactobacillus, while QL reversed it. Additionally, the protein expression levels like IL-1β, TNF-α, NF-κB, and NLRP3 were decreased in the QL treatment group compared to the model one.

Conclusion: QL ameliorates ventricular remodeling to some extent in rats with HF by modulating the gut microbiota and NLRP3 inflammasome, which indicates the potential therapeutic effects of QL on those who suffer from HF.

Impact of the Gastrointestinal Tract Microbiota on Cardiovascular Health and Pathophysiology

ABSTRACT

The microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is an extremely diverse community of microorganisms, and their collective genomes (microbiome) provide a vast arsenal of biological activities, in particular enzymatic ones, which are far from being fully elucidated. The study of the microbiota (and the microbiome) is receiving great interest from the biomedical community as it carries the potential to improve risk-prediction models, refine primary and secondary prevention efforts, and also design more appropriate and personalized therapies, including pharmacological ones. A growing body of evidence, though sometimes impaired by the limited number of subjects involved in the studies, suggests that GIT dysbiosis, i.e. the altered microbial composition, has an important role in causing and/or worsening cardiovascular disease (CVD). Bacterial translocation as well as the alteration of levels of microbe-derived metabolites can thus be important to monitor and modulate, because they may lead to initiation and progression of CVD, as well as to its establishment as chronic state. We hereby aim to provide readers with details on available resources and experimental approaches that are used in this fascinating field of biomedical research, and on some novelties on the impact of GIT microbiota on CVD.

Sesamin attenuates PM2.5-induced cardiovascular injury by inhibiting ferroptosis in rats

Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the pharmacological effects of sesamin (Ses) and its mechanism of action towards PM_2.5-induced cardiovascular injuries. Method: Forty Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups: a saline control group; a PM_2.5 exposure group; and low-, middle-, and high-dose Ses pretreatment groups. The SD rats were pretreated with different concentrations of Ses for 21 days. Afterward, the rats were exposed to ambient PM_2.5 by intratracheal instillation every other day for a total of three times. The levels of inflammatory markers, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and indicators related to oxidative responses, such as total superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA), were measured in the blood and heart. The expression of ferroptosis-related proteins in heart tissues was determined via western blot and immunohistochemistry. Results: Ses pretreatment substantially ameliorated cardiovascular injuries in rats as evidenced by the decrease in the pathological score and collagen area. The decreased levels of SOD, GSH, and GSH-Px in the heart and serum were inhibited by Ses. In addition, Ses not only notably increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes but also reduced the levels of MDA, CK, LDH, CK-MB, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Furthermore, Ses pretreatment upregulated the expression levels of GPX4, SLC7A11, TFRC, and FPN1 and inhibited the expression levels of FTH1 and FTL. Conclusion: Ses pretreatment could ameliorate PM_2.5-induced cardiovascular injuries perhaps by inhibiting ferroptosis. Therefore, Ses pretreatment may be a novel strategy for the prevention and treatment of PM_2.5-induced cardiovascular injury.

Boeravinone B alleviates gut dysbiosis during myocardial infarction-induced cardiotoxicity in rats

Myocardial infarction (MI) is the most common heart disease, and also, it is one of the leading causes of death from cardiovascular disease. It is well known that MI causes additional injury during blood flow restoration in ischaemic myocardium. Boeravinone B (BB) is a well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory drug. We investigated the cardioprotective effect of BB drug against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced MI in rats in this experimental study, along with we analysed its underlying mechanism. Adult Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were treated subcutaneously with ISO (45 mg/kg), then divided into groups and then given BB drug was administered orally. The cardioprotective effect of BB on ISO-induced MI rats was analysed by estimating the heart injury markers, antioxidant pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory parameters. We also detected quantified expression of inflammation and apoptosis-related marker protein family. We estimated the effect of BB drug on GUT microbiota in ISO-induced MI rats and scrutinized the histopathological variations in heart tissues. BB treatment significantly (P < .001) diminished the level of heart markers such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), troponin (TnT), creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase isoenzymes MB (CK-MB). BB treatment also altered the antioxidant parameters and reduced the pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum and tissues. Additionally, the histopathological aspects demonstrated that the pathological changes observed in the heart tissue of the ISO group rats were suppressed by the BB treatment to varying degrees. Furthermore, the expressions of caspase-3, p53, caspase-9, Bax, interleukin-6 (IL-6), cytochrome C, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the heart tissue were down-regulated whereas the Bcl-2 expression seemed to be enhanced. BB treatment not only alleviated ISO-induced gut dysbiosis by its enhanced specified Firmicutesto-Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio but also maintained the relative abundance of major bacteria such as Clostridium IV, Butyricicoccus, Clostridium XIVs, Akkermansia and Roseburia. Collectively, our findings showed that the BB drug acted against myocardial infraction and prevented the damage by reducing the oxidative stress and controlling the inflammatory pathways, and gut microbiota.