Relationship between post-cardiac arrest myocardial oxidative stress and myocardial dysfunction in the rat

Continuously increased generation of ROS in human plasma after cardiac arrest as determined by Amplex Red oxidation

Oxidative stress is believed to be a major cause of injury after cardiac arrest (CA). While the effects of ROS generated within tissues have been extensively investigated, the potential of plasma-generated ROS in contributing to CA pathology has not been examined. We utilized Amplex Red (AR) to measure the real time-generation of ROS in isolated plasma from human CA patients. We first used post-CA rat plasma to identify interfering factors for AR oxidation, and then applied this knowledge to analyze human plasma samples, accounting for the identified confounders. We found significantly increased AR oxidation rates lasting for 4 h in post-CA rat plasma compared to baseline. AR oxidation was unchanged with removal of horseradish peroxidase or addition of catalase. However, adding carboxylesterase inhibitors significantly decreased AR oxidation in rat plasma, which implicated increased carboxylesterase activity, not ROS leading to increased AR oxidation. AR oxidation rates were also significantly increased in human CA patient plasma compared to control and this increase persisted even with carboxylesterase inhibition, suggesting continuously increased ROS-generation within plasma post-CA in humans. The increased ROS generation may be one major source of injury post-CA that may be mitigated with antioxidative therapeutic strategies that can manage the ROS systemically generated in plasma over time.KEY POLICY HIGHLIGHTSWe examined the potential of plasma as a source of ROS generation post-cardiac arrestRat cardiac arrest was used to guide the application of Amplex Red in human plasmaROS generation in plasma is significantly increased after cardiac arrest in humansScavenging excessive ROS in post-resuscitation plasma may improve outcomes of patients.

A potent protective effect of baicalein on liver injury by regulating mitochondria-related apoptosis

Liver injury is the early stage of liver disease, which is caused by multiple factors. Baicalein has shown extensive bioactivity. But whether baicalein has a protective effect on liver injury has not been reported thus far. In this study, we aim to investigate the protective effects of baicalein on liver injury induced by oxidative stress. H₂O₂ and CCl₄ were employed to establish liver injury models in vivo and in vitro, respectively. The protective effect of baicalein on oxidative stress-induced liver injury was evaluated by detecting the mitochondrial dynamics, the level of autophagy and apoptosis, the histopathology of liver, the indicators of liver function, and the level of oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo. March5 is the key regulator during liver injury induced by oxidative stress. March5 can ubiquitinate Drp1 and promote Drp1 degradation, then maintain the homeostasis of mitochondrial dynamics, keep the balance of autophagy, and reduce apoptosis. Baicalein is able to effectively reduce liver injury; it can contribute to the expression of March5 by regulating KLF4 during liver injury. These results indicate that baicalein plays a key role in salvaging liver from injury induced by oxidative stress via regulating the KLF4-March5-Drp1 signal pathway.

Therapeutic hypothermia reduces inflammation and oxidative stress in the liver after asphyxial cardiac arrest in rats

BACKGROUND

Few studies have evaluated the effects of hypothermia on cardiac arrest (CA)-induced liver damage. This study aimed to investigate the effects of hypothermic therapy on the liver in a rat model of asphyxial cardiac arrest (ACA).

METHODS

Rats were subjected to 5-minute ACA followed by return of spontaneous circulation (RoSC). Body temperature was controlled at 33°C±0.5°C or 37°C±0.5°C for 4 hours after RoSC in the hypothermia group and normothermia group, respectively. Liver tissues in each group were collected at 6 hours, 12 hours, 1 day, and 2 days after RoSC. To examine hepatic inflammation, mast cells were stained with toluidine blue. Superoxide anion radical production was evaluated using dihydroethidium fluorescence straining and expression of endogenous antioxidants (superoxide dismutase 1 [SOD1] and SOD2) was examined using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

There were significantly more mast cells in the livers of the normothermia group with ACA than in the hypothermia group with ACA. Gradual increase in superoxide anion radical production was found with time in the normothermia group with ACA, but production was significantly suppressed in the hypothermia group with ACA relative to the normothermia group with ACA. SOD1 and SOD2 levels were higher in the hypothermia group with ACA than in the normothermia group with ACA.

CONCLUSIONS

Experimental hypothermic treatment after ACA significantly inhibited inflammation and superoxide anion radical production in the rat liver, indicating that this treatment enhanced or maintained expression of antioxidants. Our findings suggest that hypothermic therapy after CA can reduce mast cell-mediated inflammation through regulation of oxidative stress and the expression of antioxidants in the liver.

Hyperoxygenation With Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Targeted Temperature Management Improves Post-Cardiac Arrest Outcomes in Rats

Background Oxygen plays a pivotal role in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and postresuscitation intervention for cardiac arrest. However, the optimal method to reoxygenate patients has not been determined. This study investigated the effect of timing of hyperoxygenation on neurological outcomes in cardiac arrest/CPR rats treated with targeted temperature management. Methods and Results After induction of ventricular fibrillation, male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into 4 groups (n=16/group): (1) normoxic control; (2) O₂_CPR, ventilated with 100% O₂ during CPR; (3) O₂_CPR+postresuscitation, ventilated with 100% O₂ during CPR and the first 3 hours of postresuscitation; and (4) O₂_postresuscitation, ventilated with 100% O₂ during the first 3 hours of postresuscitation. Targeted temperature management was induced immediately after resuscitation and maintained for 3 hours in all animals. Postresuscitation hemodynamics, neurological recovery, and pathological analysis were assessed. Brain tissues of additional rats undergoing the same experimental procedure were harvested for ELISA-based quantification assays of oxidative stress-related biomarkers and compared with the sham-operated rats (n=6/group). We found that postresuscitation mean arterial pressure and quantitative electroencephalogram activity were significantly increased, whereas astroglial protein S100B, degenerated neurons, oxidative stress-related biomarkers, and neurologic deficit scores were significantly reduced in the O₂_CPR+postresuscitation group compared with the normoxic control group. In addition, 96-hour survival rates were significantly improved in all of the hyperoxygenation groups. Conclusions In this cardiac arrest/CPR rat model, hyperoxygenation coupled with targeted temperature management attenuates ischemia/reperfusion-induced injuries and improves survival rates. The beneficial effects of high-concentration oxygen are timing and duration dependent. Hyperoxygenation commenced with CPR, which improves outcomes when administered during hypothermia.

Usefulness of F2-isoprostanes in early prognostication after cardiac arrest: a topical review of the literature and meta-analysis of preclinical data

Prognostication after cardiac arrest (CA) represents a challenging issue, and several biomarkers have been proposed in the attempt to predict outcome. Among these, F2-isoprostanes stand out as potential biomarkers for early prognostication, providing information on the magnitude of global oxidative injury after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). We performed a topical review searching PubMed and Scopus databases to identify studies evaluating the modifications of F2-isoprostanes in the early period after CA, and a meta-analysis of studies providing curves of F2-isoprostanes plasma levels seeking to describe the biomarker's kinetics after CA. Evidence suggests that plasma levels of F2-isoprostanes increase in the early post-resuscitation period and seem well correlated with the burden of ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Our meta-analysis shows a possible increase as early as 5 minutes after ROSC, which persists at 2 hours and is attenuated at 4 hours. Clinical studies are warranted to evaluate the utility of this biomarker for prognostication purposes in CA survivors.

Hydrogen gas inhalation alleviates oxidative stress in patients with post-cardiac arrest syndrome

Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathophysiology of post-cardiac arrest syndrome. Molecular hydrogen reduces oxidative stress and exerts anti-inflammatory effects in an animal model of cardiac arrest. However, its effect on human post-cardiac arrest syndrome is unclear. We consecutively enrolled five comatose post-cardiac arrest patients (three males; mean age, 65 ± 15 years; four cardiogenic, one septic cardiac arrest) and evaluated temporal changes in oxidative stress markers and cytokines with inhaled hydrogen. All patients were treated with target temperature management. Hydrogen gas inhalation (2% hydrogen with titrated oxygen) was initiated upon admission for 18 h. Blood hydrogen concentrations, plasma and urine oxidative stress markers (derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites, biological antioxidant potential, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, N^ɛ-hexanoyl-lysine, lipid hydroperoxide), and cytokines (interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α) were measured before and 3, 9, 18, and 24 h after hydrogen gas inhalation. Arterial hydrogen concentration was measurable and it was equilibrated with inhaled hydrogen. Oxidative stress was reduced and cytokine levels were unchanged in cardiogenic patients, whereas oxidative stress was unchanged and cytokine levels were diminished in the septic patient. The effect of inhaled hydrogen on oxidative stress and cytokines in comatose post-cardiac arrest patients remains indefinite because of methodological weaknesses.

Repetitive anodal transcranial direct current stimulation improves neurological outcome and survival in a ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest rat model

BACKGROUND

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) modulates neuronal activity and is a potential therapeutic tool for many neurological diseases. However, its beneficial effects on post cardiac arrest syndrome remains uncertain.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS

We investigated the effects of repetitive anodal tDCS on neurological outcome and survival in a ventricular fibrillation (VF) cardiac arrest rat model.

METHODS

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated after 6 min of VF in 36 Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals were randomized into three groups immediately after resuscitation (n = 12 each): no-treatment control (NTC) group, targeted temperature management (TTM) group, and tDCS group. For tDCS, 1 mA anodal tDCS was applied on the dorsal scalp for 0.5 h. The stimulation was repeated for four sessions with 1-h resting interval under normothermia. Post-resuscitation hemodynamic, cerebral, and myocardial injuries, 96-h neurological outcome, and survival were evaluated.

RESULTS

Compared with the NTC group, post-resuscitation serum astroglial protein S100 beta and cardiac troponin T levels and 96-h neuronal and myocardial damage scores were markedly reduced in the tDCS and TTM groups. Myocardial ejection fraction, neurological deficit score, and 96-h survival rate were also significantly better for the tDCS and TTM groups. The period of post-resuscitation arrhythmia with hemodynamic instability was considerably shorter in the tDCS group, but no differences were observed in neurological outcome and survival between the tDCS and TTM groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cardiac arrest rat model, repeated anodal tDCS commenced after resuscitation improves 96-h neurological outcome and survival to an extent comparable to TTM by attenuating post-resuscitation cerebral and cardiac injuries.

Mild Therapeutic Hypothermia Increases Glutathione Levels in Postcardiac Arrest Patients

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced oxidative stress is one of the main mechanisms of tissue injury after cardiac arrest (CA). A decrease in antioxidant defenses may contribute to I/R injury. The present study aims to investigate the influence of mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) on levels of nonenzymatic antioxidants after CA. We investigated antioxidant levels at 6, 12, 36, and 72 hours after CA in central venous blood samples of patients admitted to intensive care. The sample consisted of 31 patients under controlled normothermia (36°C) and 11 patients treated with 24 hours of MTH (33°C). Erythrocyte glutathione (GSH) levels were elevated by MTH, increasing at 6, 12, 36, and 72 hours after CA in hypothermic patients (mean GSH levels in normothermic patients: 6 hours = 73.89, 12 hours = 56.45, 36 hours = 56.46, 72 hours = 61.80 vs. hypothermic patients: 6 hours = 176.89, 12 hours = 198.78, 36 hours = 186.96, and 72 hours = 173.68 μmol/g of protein). Vitamin C levels decreased significantly at 6 and 12 hours after CA in hypothermic patients (median vitamin C levels in normothermic patients: 6 hours = 7.53, 12 hours = 9.40, 36 hours = 8.56, and 72 hours = 8.51 vs. hypothermic patients: 6 hours = 5.46, 12 hours = 5.44, 36 hours = 6.10, and 72 hours = 5.89 mmol/L), coinciding with the period of therapeutic hypothermia. Vitamin E and nitric oxide levels were not altered by hypothermic treatment. These findings suggest that MTH alters nonenzymatic antioxidants differently, decreasing circulating vitamin C levels during treatment; however, MTH elevates GSH levels, possibly protecting tissues from I/R injury after CA.

Astragalin and dihydromyricetin as adjuncts to histidine‑tryptophan‑ketoglutarate cardioplegia enhances protection during cardioplegic arrest

The present study used an in vitro model of cold cardioplegia in isolated working rat hearts to evaluate the possible effects of two flavonoids, astragalin and dihydromyricetin, as adjuncts to histidine‑tryptophan‑ketoglutarate (HTK) cardioplegia. The following three groups of male Sprague Dawley rats were evaluated: The HTK group, treated with HTK alone; the HTK‑A group, treated with 10 µmol/l astragalin; and the HTK‑D group, treated with 10 µmol/l dihydromyricetin. Isolated rat hearts were perfused with Krebs‑Henseleit buffer for 30 min and incubated with the respective cardioplegic solution for 6 h at 4˚C. Subsequently, astragalin or dihydromyricetin was added to the cardioplegic solutions. Following 30 min of reperfusion, the left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), maximum up/down rate of left ventricular pressure (±dp/dtmax) and heart rate were documented as indices of myocardial function using a physiological recorder. Myocardial infarct size (IS) was estimated using 2,3,5‑triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) levels were also determined to assess the degree of cardiac injury. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis analysis was performed using an in situ cell death detection kit. In addition, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), interleukin‑6 (IL‑6), tumor necrosis factor‑α (TNF‑α), C‑reactive protein (CRP) levels, as well as the glutathione/glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG) ratio were determined and analyzed using ELISA kits. The protein levels of caspase‑9 and B‑cell lymphoma‑2 (Bcl‑2) were determined using western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that exposure to astragalin or dihydromyricetin significantly improved the recovery of LVDP (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively), the +dP/dtmax (P<0.05 for dihydromyricetin only) and the ‑dP/dtmax (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively), increased SOD levels (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively) and GSH/GSSG ratios (P<0.05), reduced myocardial IS (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively), decreased CK, LDH, IL‑6 (all P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively), MDA (P<0.05), CRP (P<0.05) and TNF‑α levels (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively), increased Bcl‑2 levels (P<0.01) and decreased caspase‑9 levels (P<0.01). The results indicated that the addition of either flavonoid (particularly dihydromyricetin) to HTK enhances protection during ischemia, decreases myocardial dysfunction by enhancing anti‑inflammatory activities, attenuates myocardial oxidative injury and prevents apoptosis during ischemia/reperfusion.

Therapeutic Hypothermia Reduces Oxidative Damage and Alters Antioxidant Defenses after Cardiac Arrest

After cardiac arrest, organ damage consequent to ischemia-reperfusion has been attributed to oxidative stress. Mild therapeutic hypothermia has been applied to reduce this damage, and it may reduce oxidative damage as well. This study aimed to compare oxidative damage and antioxidant defenses in patients treated with controlled normothermia versus mild therapeutic hypothermia during postcardiac arrest syndrome. The sample consisted of 31 patients under controlled normothermia (36°C) and 11 patients treated with 24 h mild therapeutic hypothermia (33°C), victims of in- or out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Parameters were assessed at 6, 12, 36, and 72 h after cardiac arrest in the central venous blood samples. Hypothermic and normothermic patients had similar S100B levels, a biomarker of brain injury. Xanthine oxidase activity is similar between hypothermic and normothermic patients; however, it decreases posthypothermia treatment. Xanthine oxidase activity is positively correlated with lactate and S100B and inversely correlated with pH, calcium, and sodium levels. Hypothermia reduces malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl levels, markers of oxidative damage. Concomitantly, hypothermia increases the activity of erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase while decreasing the activity of serum paraoxonase-1. These findings suggest that mild therapeutic hypothermia reduces oxidative damage and alters antioxidant defenses in postcardiac arrest patients.

Remote Postconditioning Alone and Combined with Hypothermia Improved Postresuscitation Cardiac and Neurological Outcomes in Swine

Objective. Previously, we demonstrated that remote ischemic postconditioning (RIpostC) improved postresuscitation myocardial and cerebral functions in rat. Here, we investigated the effects of RIpostC alone and combined with therapeutic hypothermia (TH) on cardiac and neurological outcomes after CPR in swine. Methods. Twenty-one pigs were subjected to 10 mins of VF and then 5 mins of CPR. The animals were randomized to receive RIpostC alone, or its combination with TH, or sham control. RIpostC was induced by 4 cycles of limb ischemia followed by reperfusion. TH was implemented by surface cooling to reach a temperature of 32–34°C. Results. During 72 hrs after resuscitation, lower level of cardiac troponin I and greater stroke volume and global ejection fraction were observed in animals that received RIpostC when compared to the control. RIpostC also decreased serum levels of neuron-specific enolase and S100B and increased neurologic alertness score after resuscitation. The combination of RIpostC and TH resulted in greater improvement in cardiac and neurological outcomes than RIpostC alone. Conclusion. RIpostC was conducive to improving postresuscitation myocardial and cerebral functions and reducing their organ injuries. Its combination with TH further enhanced its protective effects.

Inflammasome and toll-like receptor signaling in human monocytes after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation

BACKGROUND

Whole body ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) induces a generalized inflammatory response which contributes to the development of post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS). Recently, pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), such as toll-like receptors (TLRs) and inflammasomes, have been shown to mediate the inflammatory response in IRI. In this study we investigated monocyte PRR signaling and function in PCAS.

METHODS

Blood samples were drawn in the first 12 hours, and at 24 and 48 hours following return of spontaneous circulation in 51 survivors after cardiac arrest. Monocyte mRNA levels of TLR2, TLR4, interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK)3, IRAK4, NLR family pyrin domain containing (NLRP)1, NLRP3, AIM2, PYCARD, CASP1, and IL1B were determined by real-time quantitative PCR. Ex vivo cytokine production in response to stimulation with TLR ligands Pam3CSK4 and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was assessed in both whole blood and monocyte culture assays. Ex vivo cytokine production of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a healthy volunteer in response to stimulation with patients' sera with or without LPS was assessed. The results were compared to 19 hemodynamically stable patients with coronary artery disease.

RESULTS

Monocyte TLR2, TLR4, IRAK3, IRAK4, NLRP3, PYCARD and IL1B were initially upregulated in patients following cardiac arrest. The NLRP1 and AIM2 inflammasomes were downregulated in resuscitated patients. There was a significant positive correlation between TLR2, TLR4, IRAK3 and IRAK4 expression and the degree of ischemia as assessed by serum lactate levels and the time until return of spontaneous circulation. Nonsurvivors at 30 days had significantly lower mRNA levels of TLR2, IRAK3, IRAK4, NLRP3 and CASP1 in the late phase following cardiac arrest. We observed reduced proinflammatory cytokine release in response to both TLR2 and TLR4 activation in whole blood and monocyte culture assays in patients after CPR. Sera from resuscitated patients attenuated the inflammatory response in cultured PBMCs after co-stimulation with LPS.

CONCLUSIONS

Successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest results in changes in monocyte pattern recognition receptor signaling pathways, which may contribute to the post-cardiac arrest syndrome.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register ( DRKS00009684 ) on 27/11/2015.

Assessment of oxidative stress after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

INTRODUCTION

Pathophysiology of cardiac arrest corresponds to a whole body ischemia-reperfusion. This phenomenon is usually associated with an oxidative stress in various settings, but few data are available on cardiac arrest in human. The aim of the present study was to evaluate different oxidative stress markers in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a prospective study assessing oxidative stress markers (thiobarbituric acid reactive species, carbonyls, thiols, glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase) in OHCA patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia. Measurements were performed during the 4 days after admission and compared between good and poor outcome patients according to Cerebral Performance Category.

RESULTS

Thirty-four patients were included, 10 good and 24 poor outcomes at 6 months. Thiobarbituric acid reactive species were higher in the poor outcome group on admission and when therapeutic hypothermia was reached. The other markers were not different between groups. No markers seemed modified by the use of therapeutic hypothermia in each group.

CONCLUSIONS

After OHCA, good outcome patients exhibit lower oxidative stress markers than poor outcome patients. Thiobarbituric acid reactive species appears to be an early prognostic parameter. Oxidative stress markers seem not mitigated by therapeutic hypothermia.