CPU228, a derivative of dofetilide, relieves cardiac dysfunction by normalizing FKBP12.6, NADPH oxidase and protein kinase C ε in the myocardium

Mitochondrial Effects of Common Cardiovascular Medications: The Good, the Bad and the Mixed

Mitochondria are central organelles in the homeostasis of the cardiovascular system via the integration of several physiological processes, such as ATP generation via oxidative phosphorylation, synthesis/exchange of metabolites, calcium sequestration, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production/buffering and control of cellular survival/death. Mitochondrial impairment has been widely recognized as a central pathomechanism of almost all cardiovascular diseases, rendering these organelles important therapeutic targets. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been reported to occur in the setting of drug-induced toxicity in several tissues and organs, including the heart. Members of the drug classes currently used in the therapeutics of cardiovascular pathologies have been reported to both support and undermine mitochondrial function. For the latter case, mitochondrial toxicity is the consequence of drug interference (direct or off-target effects) with mitochondrial respiration/energy conversion, DNA replication, ROS production and detoxification, cell death signaling and mitochondrial dynamics. The present narrative review aims to summarize the beneficial and deleterious mitochondrial effects of common cardiovascular medications as described in various experimental models and identify those for which evidence for both types of effects is available in the literature.

Beneficial effect of Cyclovirobuxine D on heart failure rats following myocardial infarction

The effect of Cyclovirobuxine D, an active ingredient from Buxus microphylla, was investigated in the potential prevention of cardiac dysfunction in rats with congestive heart failure. Heart failure was induced by left coronary artery occlusion and verified using echocardiography. Cyclovirobuxine D was administered for 30 days (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0mg/kg, ig) and mortality, cardiac function, hemodynamics, microcirculation, histology and ultrastructure assessments were observed. Results from the present study suggest that Cyclovirobuxine D is beneficial for heart failure induced by myocardial infarction and supports the potential for Cyclovirobuxine D as a new therapy for heart failure.