Simvastatin modulates remodeling of Kv4.3 expression in rat hypertrophied cardiomyocytes

Novel cholesterol-dependent regulation of cardiac KATP subunit expression revealed using histone deacetylase inhibitors

We recently discovered that the histone deacetylase inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA), increases expression of the sulfonylurea receptor 2 (SUR2; Abcc9) subunit of the ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP ) channel in HL-1 cardiomyocytes. Interestingly, the increase in SUR2 was abolished with exogenous cholesterol, suggesting that cholesterol may regulate channel expression. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that TSA increases SUR2 by depleting cholesterol and activating the sterol response element binding protein (SREBP) family of transcription factors. Treatment of HL-1 cardiomyocytes with TSA (30 ng/ml) caused a time-dependent increase in SUR2 mRNA expression that correlates with the time course of cholesterol depletion assessed by filipin staining. Consistent with the cholesterol-dependent regulation of SREBP increasing SUR2 mRNA expression, we observe a significant increase in SREBP cleavage and translocation to the nucleus following TSA treatment that is inhibited by exogenous cholesterol. Further supporting the role of SREBP in mediating the effect of TSA on KATP subunit expression, SREBP1 significantly increased luciferase reporter gene expression driven by the upstream SUR2 promoter. Lastly, HL-1 cardiomyocytes treated with the SREBP inhibitor PF429242 significantly suppresses the effect of TSA on SUR2 gene expression. These results demonstrate that SREBP is an important regulator of KATP channel expression and suggest a novel method by which hypercholesterolemia may exert negative effects on the cardiovascular system, namely, by suppressing expression of the KATP channel.

Simvastatin Protects Heart from Pressure Overload Injury by Inhibiting Excessive Autophagy

Cardiac hypertrophy is an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. To identify the mechanisms by which simvastatin inhibits cardiac hypertrophy induced by pressure overload, we determined effects of simvastatin on 14-3-3 protein expression and autophagic activity. Simvastatin was administered intragastrically to Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats before abdominal aortic banding (AAB). Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCs) were treated with simvastatin before angiotensin II (AngII) stimulation. 14-3-3, LC3, and p62 protein levels were determined by western blot. Autophagy was also measured by the double-labeled red fluorescent protein-green fluorescent protein autophagy reporter system. Simvastatin alleviated excessive autophagy, characterized by a high LC3II/LC3I ratio and low level of p62, and blunted cardiac hypertrophy while increasing 14-3-3 protein expression in rats that had undergone AAB. In addition, it increased 14-3-3 expression and inhibited excessive autophagy in NRCs exposed to AngII. Our study demonstrated that simvastatin may inhibit excessive autophagy, increase 14-3-3 expression, and finally exert beneficial effects on cardioprotection against pressure overload.

Transmural gradients in ion channel and auxiliary subunit expression

Evolution has acted to shape the action potential in different regions of the heart in order to produce a maximally stable and efficient pump. This has been achieved by creating regional differences in ion channel expression levels within the heart as well as differences between equivalent cardiac tissues in different species. These region- and species-dependent differences in channel expression are established by regulatory evolution, evolution of the regulatory mechanisms that control channel expression levels. Ion channel auxiliary subunits are obvious targets for regulatory evolution, in order to change channel expression levels and/or modify channel function. This review focuses on the transmural gradients of ion channel expression in the heart and the role that regulation of auxiliary subunit expression plays in generating and shaping these gradients.

Atorvastatin blocks increased l-type Ca2+ current and cell injury elicited by angiotensin II via inhibiting oxide stress

Thel-type Ca(2+)current (ICa,l) plays a crucial role in shaping action potential and is involved in cardiac arrhythmia. Statins have been demonstrated to contribute to anti-apoptotic and anti-arrhythmic effects in the heart. Here, we examined whether atorvastatin regulates theICa,land cell injury induced by angiotensin II (AngII) as well as the putative intracellular cascade responsible for the effects. Cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes were incubated with AngII for 24 h, and then cell injury and expression levels of Nox2/gp91(phox), p47(phox) ,and Cav1.2 were analyzed. In addition,ICa,lwas recorded using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, and mechanisms of atorvastatin actions were also investigated. It was found that the number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes was increased and cell viability was significantly decreased after AngII administration. AngII also augmented the expressions of Nox2/gp91(phox)and p47(phox)compared with control cardiomyocytes. Exposure to AngII evokedICa,lin a voltage-dependent manner without affecting theI-Vrelationship. In addition, AngII enhanced membrane Cav1.2 expression. These effects were abolished in the presence of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, manganese (III)-tetrakis 4-benzoic acid porphyrin [Mn(III)TBAP], or the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitor, atorvastatin. These results suggested that atorvastatin mediates cardioprotection against arrhythmias and cell injury by controlling the AngII-ROS cascade.

Cilostazol suppresses angiotensin II-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells

Patients with essential hypertension undergo endothelial dysfunction, particularly in the conduit arteries. Cilostazol, a type III phosphodiesterase inhibitor, serves a role in the inhibition of platelet aggregation and it is widely used in the treatment of peripheral vascular diseases. Previous studies have suggested that cilostazol suppresses endothelial dysfunction; however, it remains unknown whether cilostazol protects the endothelial function in essential hypertension. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether, and how, cilostazol suppresses angiotensin II (angII)-induced endothelial dysfunction. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to angII and treated with cilostazol. Endothelial cell apoptosis and function, nitric oxide and superoxide production, phosphorylation (p) of Akt, and caspase-3 protein expression levels were investigated. AngII exposure resulted in the apoptosis of endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, cilostazol significantly suppressed the angII-induced apoptosis of HUVECs; however, this effect was reduced in the presence of LY294002, a phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitor. Furthermore, cilostazol suppressed the angII-induced p-Akt downregulation and cleaved caspase-3 upregulation. These effects were also alleviated by LY294002. In vivo, cilostazol suppressed the angII-induced endothelial cell apoptosis and dysfunction. Cilostazol was also demonstrated to partially reduced the angII-induced increase in superoxide production. The results of the present study suggested that cilostazol suppresses endothelial apoptosis and dysfunction by modulating the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Statins in heart failure--With preserved and reduced ejection fraction. An update

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or statins beyond their lipid lowering properties and mevalonate inhibition exert also their actions through a multiplicity of mechanisms. In heart failure (HF) the inhibition of isoprenoid intermediates and small GTPases, which control cellular function such as cell shape, secretion and proliferation, is of clinical significance. Statins share also the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor pathway and inactivate extracellular-signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation suppressing inflammatory cascade. By down-regulating Rho/Rho kinase signaling pathways, statins increase the stability of eNOS mRNA and induce activation of eNOS through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/eNOS pathway restoring endothelial function. Statins change also myocardial action potential plateau by modulation of Kv1.5 and Kv4.3 channel activity and inhibit sympathetic nerve activity suppressing arrhythmogenesis. Less documented evidence proposes also that statins have anti-hypertrophic effects - through p21ras/mitogen activated protein kinase pathway - which modulate synthesis of matrix metalloproteinases and procollagen 1 expression affecting interstitial fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction. Clinical studies have partly confirmed the experimental findings and despite current guidelines new evidence supports the notion that statins can be beneficial in some cases of HF. In subjects with diastolic HF, moderately impaired systolic function, low b-type natriuretic peptide levels, exacerbated inflammatory response and mild interstitial fibrosis evidence supports that statins can favorably affect the outcome. Under the lights of this evidence in this review article we discuss the current knowledge on the mechanisms of statins' actions and we link current experimental and clinical data to further understand the possible impact of statins' treatment on HF syndrome.