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Zhang LL, Chen GH, Tang RJ, Xiong YY, Pan Q, Jiang WY, Gong ZT, Chen C, Li XS, Yang YJ. Levosimendan Reverses Cardiac Malfunction and Cardiomyocyte Ferroptosis During Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction via Connexin 43 Signaling Activation. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 2024; 38:705-718. [PMID: 36881213 DOI: 10.1007/s10557-023-07441-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE In recent decades, the occurrence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has outweighed that of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction by degrees, but few drugs have been demonstrated to improve long-term clinical outcomes in patients with HFpEF. Levosimendan, a calcium-sensitizing cardiotonic agent, improves decompensated heart failure clinically. However, the anti-HFpEF activities of levosimendan and underlying molecular mechanisms are unclear. METHODS In this study, a double-hit HFpEF C57BL/6N mouse model was established, and levosimendan (3 mg/kg/week) was administered to HFpEF mice aged 13 to 17 weeks. Different biological experimental techniques were used to verify the protective effects of levosimendan against HFpEF. RESULTS After four weeks of drug treatment, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, cardiac hypertrophy, pulmonary congestion, and exercise exhaustion were significantly alleviated. Junction proteins in the endothelial barrier and between cardiomyocytes were also improved by levosimendan. Among the gap junction channel proteins, connexin 43, which was especially highly expressed in cardiomyocytes, mediated mitochondrial protection. Furthermore, levosimendan reversed mitochondrial malfunction in HFpEF mice, as evidenced by increased mitofilin and decreased ROS, superoxide anion, NOX4, and cytochrome C levels. Interestingly, after levosimendan administration, myocardial tissue from HFpEF mice showed restricted ferroptosis, indicated by an increased GSH/GSSG ratio; upregulated GPX4, xCT, and FSP-1 expression; and reduced intracellular ferrous ion, MDA, and 4-HNE levels. CONCLUSION Regular long-term levosimendan administration can benefit cardiac function in a mouse model of HFpEF with metabolic syndromes (namely, obesity and hypertension) by activating connexin 43-mediated mitochondrial protection and sequential ferroptosis inhibition in cardiomyocytes.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Ferroptosis/drug effects
- Heart Failure/drug therapy
- Heart Failure/physiopathology
- Heart Failure/metabolism
- Simendan/pharmacology
- Myocytes, Cardiac/drug effects
- Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism
- Myocytes, Cardiac/pathology
- Connexin 43/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Disease Models, Animal
- Stroke Volume/drug effects
- Ventricular Function, Left/drug effects
- Male
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Mice
- Mitochondria, Heart/drug effects
- Mitochondria, Heart/metabolism
- Mitochondria, Heart/pathology
- Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/drug therapy
- Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/physiopathology
- Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/metabolism
- Cardiotonic Agents/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Li Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Gui-Hao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Rui-Jie Tang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Yu-Yan Xiong
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Qi Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Wen-Yang Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Zhao-Ting Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Cheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Xiao-Song Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Yue-Jin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, China.
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Kipka H, Schaflinger R, Tomasi R, Pogoda K, Mannell H. The Effects of the Levosimendan Metabolites OR-1855 and OR-1896 on Endothelial Pro-Inflammatory Responses. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030918. [PMID: 36979897 PMCID: PMC10045601 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The calcium sensitizer levosimendan is used for the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure. A small portion (4–7%) of levosimendan is metabolized to the pharmacologically active metabolite OR-1896 via the inactive intermediate OR-1855. In addition, levosimendan has been shown to exert positive effects on the endothelium in vitro antagonizing vascular dysfunction and inflammation. However, the function of the levosimendan metabolites within this context is still unknown. In this study, we thus investigated the impact of the metabolites OR-1896 and OR-1855 on endothelial inflammatory processes in vitro. We observed a reduction of IL-1β-dependent endothelial adhesion molecule ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 as well as interleukin (IL) -6 expression upon levosimendan treatment but not after treatment with OR-1855 or OR-1896, as assessed by western blotting, flow cytometry, and qRT-PCR. Instead, the metabolites impaired IL-1β-induced ROS formation via inactivation of the MAPK p38, ERK1/2, and JNK. Our results suggest that the levosimendan metabolites OR-1896 and OR-1855 have certain anti-inflammatory properties, partly other than levosimendan. Importantly, they additionally show that the intermediate metabolite OR-1855 does, in fact, have pharmacological effects in the endothelium. This is interesting, as the metabolites are responsible for the long-term therapeutic effects of levosimendan, and heart failure is associated with vascular dysfunction and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Kipka
- Doctoral Program Clinical Pharmacy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology, Biomedical Center, LMU Munich, 82152 Planegg, Germany
| | - Rebecca Schaflinger
- Doctoral Program Clinical Pharmacy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology, Biomedical Center, LMU Munich, 82152 Planegg, Germany
| | - Roland Tomasi
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Kristin Pogoda
- Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology, Biomedical Center, LMU Munich, 82152 Planegg, Germany
- Physiology, Institute for Theoretical Medicine, University of Augsburg, 86159 Augsburg, Germany
| | - Hanna Mannell
- Doctoral Program Clinical Pharmacy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology, Biomedical Center, LMU Munich, 82152 Planegg, Germany
- Physiology, Institute for Theoretical Medicine, University of Augsburg, 86159 Augsburg, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Zhou J, Lin H, Lv T, Hao J, Zhang H, Sun S, Yang J, Chi J, Guo H. Inappropriate Activation of TLR4/NF-κB is a Cause of Heart Failure. CARDIOVASCULAR INNOVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS 2022. [DOI: 10.15212/cvia.2022.0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Significance: Heart failure, a disease with extremely high incidence, is closely associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. The Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway plays an important role in the occurrence and development of heart failure.
Recent advances: Previous studies have shown that TLR4/NF-κB causes heart failure by inducing oxidative stress and inflammation; damaging the endothelia; promoting fibrosis; and inducing myocardial hypertrophy, apoptosis, pyroptosis, and autophagy.
Critical issues: Understanding the pathogenesis of heart failure is essential for the treatment of this disease. In this review, we outline the mechanisms underlying TLR4/NF-κB pathway-mediated heart failure and discuss drugs that alleviate heart failure by regulating the TLR4/NF-κB pathway.
Future directions: During TLR4/NF-κB overactivation, interventions targeting specific receptor antagonists may effectively alleviate heart failure, thus providing a basis for the development of new anti-heart failure drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiedong Zhou
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Hui Lin
- Department of Cardiology, Shaoxing People’s Hospital Shaoxing Hospital, Shaoxing, China
| | - Tingting Lv
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Jinjin Hao
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hanlin Zhang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Shimin Sun
- The First Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Juntao Yang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Jufang Chi
- Department of Cardiology, Shaoxing People’s Hospital Shaoxing Hospital, Shaoxing, China
| | - Hangyuan Guo
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
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Akhtar MS, Hassan MQ, Siddiqui A, Alavudeen SS, Afzal O, Altamimi ASA, Rahman SO, Khurana M, Ahsan MJ, Sharma AK, Tabassum F. Levosimendan: mechanistic insight and its diverse future aspects in cardiac care. Acta Cardiol 2022; 78:170-187. [PMID: 36222590 DOI: 10.1080/00015385.2022.2115761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Inotropic agents are generally recommended to use in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) concurrent to end-organ dysfunction. However, due to certain pharmacological limitations like developing life threatening arrhythmia and tolerance, cannot be employed as much as needed. Meanwhile, Calcium ion (Ca2+) sensitisers exhibits their inotropic action by increasing the sensitivity of the cardiomyocyte to intracellular Ca2+ ion and have been reported as emerging therapeutic alternative in HF cases. Levosimendan (LEVO) is an inodilator and with its unique pharmacology justifying its use in a wide range of cardiac alterations in HF particularly in undergoing cardiac surgery. It is also reported to be better than classical inotropes in maintaining cardiac mechanical efficacy and reducing congestion in acute HF with hypotension. This review paper was designed to compile various evidence about basic pharmacology and potential clinical aspects of LEVO in cardiac surgery and other HF associated alterations. This will benefit directly to the researcher in initiating research and to fill the gaps in the area of thrust.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Md Quamrul Hassan
- Department of Pharmacology, SNS College of Pharmacy, Motihari, India
| | - Aisha Siddiqui
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | | | - Obaid Afzal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulmalik S A Altamimi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Syed Obaidur Rahman
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Mallika Khurana
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Mohamed Jawed Ahsan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Maharishi Arvind College of Pharmacy, Jaipur, India
| | - Arun Kumar Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology, Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Noida, India
| | - Fauzia Tabassum
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Dentistry and Pharmacy, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
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Yao YT, He LX, Zhao YY. The effect of levosimendan on postoperative bleeding and blood transfusion in cardiac surgical patients: a PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis. Perfusion 2020; 36:694-703. [PMID: 33070760 DOI: 10.1177/0267659120963909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Levosimendan (LEVO), is an inotropic agent which has been shown to be associated with better myocardial performance, and higher survival rate in cardiac surgical patients. However, preliminary clinical evidence suggested that LEVO increased the risk of post-operative bleeding in patients undergoing valve surgery. Currently, there has been no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) designed specifically on this issue. Therefore, we performed present systemic review and meta-analysis. METHODS Electronic databases were searched to identify all RCTs comparing LEVO with Control (placebo, blank, dobutamine, milrinone, etc). Primary outcomes include post-operative blood loss and re-operation for bleeding. Secondary outcomes included post-operative transfusion of red blood cells (RBC), fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and platelet concentrates (PC). For continuous variables, treatment effects were calculated as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidential interval (CI). For dichotomous data, treatment effects were calculated as odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI. RESULTS Search yielded 15 studies including 1,528 patients. Meta-analysis suggested that, LEVO administration was not associated with increased risk of reoperation for bleeding post-operatively (OR = 1.01; 95%CI: 0.57 to 1.79; p = 0.97) and more blood loss volume (WMD = 28.25; 95%CI: -19.21 to 75.72; p = 0.24). Meta-analysis also demonstrated that, LEVO administration did not increase post-operative transfusion requirement for RBC (rate: OR = 0.97; 95%CI: 0.72 to 1.30; p = 0.83 and volume: WMD = 0.34; 95%CI: -0.55 to 1.22; p = 0.46), FFP (volume: WMD = 0.00; 95%CI: -0.10 to 0.10; p = 1.00) and PC (rate: OR = 1.01; 95%CI: 0.41 to 2.50; p = 0.98 and volume: WMD = 0.00; 95%CI: -0.05 to 0.04; p = 0.95). CONCLUSION This meta-analysis suggested that, peri-operative administration of LEVO was not associated with increased risks of post-operative bleeding and blood transfusion requirement in cardiac surgical patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Tai Yao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Xian He
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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