Deodorized Garlic Decreases Oxidative Stress Caused by Lipopolysaccharide in Rat Heart through Hydrogen Sulfide: Preliminary Findings.

Deodorized garlic (DG) may favor the activity of the antioxidant enzymes and promote the synthesis of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The objective was to test if DG favors an increase in H2S and if it decreases the oxidative stress caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rat hearts. A total of 24 rats were divided into 4 groups: Group 1 control (C), Group 2 LPS, Group 3 DG, and Group 4 LPS plus DG. The cardiac mechanical performance (CMP), coronary vascular resistance (CVR), and oxidative stress markers, such as total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione (GSH), selenium (Se), lipid peroxidation (LPO), thiols, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and the activities and expressions of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), cystathionine synthetase (CBS), cystathionine γ-lyase (CTH), iNOS, and eNOS-p, were analyzed in the heart. Infarct zones in the cardiac tissue were present (p = 0.01). The CMP and CVR decreased and increased (p ≤ 0.05), TAC, GSH, H2S, NO, thiols, and GST activity (p ≤ 0.01) decreased, and LPO and iNOS increased (p ≤ 0.05). The activities and expressions of TrxR, GPx, eNOS-p, CTH, and CBS (p ≤ 0.05) decreased with the LPS treatment; however, DG normalized this effect. DG treatment decreases heart damage caused by LPS through the cross-talk between the H2S and NO systems.

TRPV1 Contributes to Modulate the Nitric Oxide Pathway and Oxidative Stress in the Isolated and Perfused Rat Heart during Ischemia and Reperfusion.

The transient vanilloid receptor potential type 1 (TRPV1) regulates neuronal and vascular functions mediated by nitric oxide (NO) and by the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Here, we study the participation of TRPV1 in the regulation of myocardial injury caused by ischemia-reperfusion and in the control of NO, tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), the cGMP pathway, CGRP, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) and phosphodiesterase-3 (PDE-3). Isolated hearts of Wistar rats perfused according to the Langendorff technique were used to study the effects of an agonist of TRPV1, capsaicin (CS), an antagonist, capsazepine (CZ), and their combination CZ+CS. The hearts were subjected to three conditions: (1) control, (2) ischemia and (3) ischemia-reperfusion. We determined cardiac mechanical activity and the levels of NO, cGMP, BH4, CGRP, TAC, MDA and PDE-3 in ventricular tissue after administration of CS, CZ and CZ+CS. Western blots were used to study the expressions of eNOS, iNOS and phosphorylated NOS (pNOS). Structural changes were determined by histological evaluation. CS prevented damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion by improving cardiac mechanical activity and elevating the levels of NO, cGMP, BH4, TAC and CGRP. TRPV1 and iNOS expression were increased under ischemic conditions, while eNOS and pNOS were not modified. We conclude that the activation of TRPV1 constitutes a therapeutic possibility to counteract the damage caused by ischemia and reperfusion by regulating the NO pathway through CGRP.

Garlic prevents the oxidizing and inflammatory effects of sepsis induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide at the systemic and aortic level in the rat. Role of trpv1.

Garlic (Allium sativum) possesses healing properties for diseases like systemic arterial hypertension, cancer and diabetes, among others. Its main component, allicin, binds to the Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Type 1 (TRPV1). In this study, we investigated TRPV1's involvement in the regulation of various molecules at the systemic and aortic levels in Wistar rats treated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and garlic to activate the receptor. The experimental groups were as follows: 1) Control, 2) LPS, 3) Garlic, and 4) LPS + Garlic. Using Uv-visible spectrophotometry and capillary zone electrophoresis, we measured the levels of nitric oxide (NO), biopterins BH2 and BH4, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and oxidizing capacity (OXCA). We also analyzed molecules related to vascular homeostasis such as angiotensin Ang 1-7 and Ang II, as well as endothelin ET-1. In addition, we assessed the inflammatory response by determining the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and galectin-3 (GTN-3). For cell damage assessment, we measured levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), malonate (MTO) and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8HO2dG). The results showed that LPS influenced the NO pathway at both systemic and aortic levels by increasing OXCA and reducing TAC. It also disrupted vascular homeostasis by increasing Ang-II and ET-1, while decreasing Ang1-7 levels. IL-6, TNFα, GTN-3, as well as MDA, MTO, and 8HO2dG were significantly elevated compared to the control group. The expression of iNOS was increased, but TRPV1 remained unaffected by LPS. However, garlic treatment effectively mitigated the effects of LPS and significantly increased TRPV1 expression. Furthermore, LPS caused a significant decrease in calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the aorta, which was counteracted by garlic treatment. Overall, TRPV1 appears to play a crucial role in regulating oxidative stress and the molecules involved in damage and inflammation induced by LPS. Thus, studying TRPV1, CGRP, and allicin may offer a potential strategy for mitigating inflammatory and oxidative stress in sepsis.

Hepatoprotective Mechanisms Induced by Spinach Methanolic Extract in Rats with Hyperglycemia-An Immunohistochemical Analysis.

Spinach methanolic extract (SME) has a hepatoprotective effect due to its polyphenolic antioxidants; however, its action in parenchymal (PQ) and non-parenchymal (nPQ) cells remains unknown. This study investigates the hepatoprotective effect of SME on streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic rats (STZ), focusing on immunohistochemical analyses. Methods: The extract was prepared, and the total polyphenols and antioxidant activity were quantified. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 8): normoglycemic rats (NG), STZ-induced hyperglycemic (STZ), STZ treated with 400 mg/kg SME (STZ-SME), and NG treated with SME (SME) for 12 weeks. Serum liver transaminases and lipid peroxidation levels in tissue were determined. The distribution pattern and relative levels of markers related to oxidative stress [reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase-1, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase-1], of cytoprotective molecules [nuclear NRF2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)], of inflammatory mediators [nuclear NF-κB, TNF-α], proliferation (PCNA), and of fibrogenesis markers [TGF-ß, Smad2/3, MMP-9, and TIMP1] were evaluated. Results: SME had antioxidant capacity, and it lowered serum transaminase levels in STZ-SME compared to STZ. It reduced NOX4 staining, and lipid peroxidation levels were related to low formation of ROS. In STZ-SME, the immunostaining for antioxidant enzymes increased in nPQ cells compared to STZ. However, enzymes were also localized in extra and intracellular vesicles in STZ. Nuclear NRF2 staining and HO-1 expression in PQ and nPQ were higher in STZ-SME than in STZ. Inflammatory factors were decreased in STZ-SME and were related to the percentage decrease in NF-κB nuclear staining in nPQ cells. Similarly, TGF-ß (in the sinusoids) and MMP-9 (in nPQ) were increased in the STZ-SME group compared to the other groups; however, staining for CTGF, TIMP1, and Smad2/3 was lower. Conclusions: SME treatment in hyperglycemic rats induced by STZ may have hepatoprotective properties due to its scavenger capacity and the regulation of differential expression of antioxidant enzymes between the PQ and nPQ cells, reducing inflammatory and fibrogenic biomarkers in liver tissue.

Role of the Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Type 1 (TRPV1) in the Regulation of Nitric Oxide Release in Wistar Rat Aorta.

The potential transient vanilloid receptor type 1 (TRPV1) plays important functional roles in the vascular system. In the present study, we explored the role of the TRPV1 in the production of nitric oxide (NO), biopterines (BH4 and BH2), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), malondialdehyde (MDA), phosphodiesterase-3 (PDE-3), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the rat aorta. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: (1) control, (2) capsaicin (CS, 20 mg/kg), (3) capsazepine (CZ, 24 mg/kg), and (4) CZ + CS. Treatments were applied daily for 4 days before removing the thoracic aortas for testing of aortic tissue and endothelial cells. TRPV1 activation produced increases in BH4 14%, cGMP 25%, NO 29%, and TAC 59.2% in comparison to the controls. BH2 and MDA increased with CZ. CGRP shows a tendency to decrease with CZ. The analysis by immunocytochemistry confirmed that the TRPV1 is present in aortic endothelial cells. Aortic endothelial cells were obtained from healthy rats and cultured to directly explore the effects of CS and CZ. The activation of the TRPV1 (CS 30 µM) produced increases in BH4 17%, NO 36.6%, TAC 56.3%, and CGRP 65%, when compared to controls. BH2 decreased with CZ + CS. CS effects were diminished by CZ in cells and in the tissue. We conclude that the TRPV1 is a structure present in the membrane of aortic endothelial cells and that it participates in the production of NO. The importance of the TRPV1 should be considered in vascular reactivity studies.

Aortic vasoreactivity during a postnatal critical window of the pancreas in rats.

Changes in aortic vasoreactivity during the postnatal pancreatic critical window, where insulin and glucose, which modify vasoreactivity, are elevated, were studied and compared to those in control and metabolic syndrome (MS) rats. Twelve 21- and 28-day-old rats were used. To develop MS rats, male Wistar animals were given 30% sucrose in drinking water since weaning and used when 6 months old. Glucose and insulin levels were higher during suckling and decreased after weaning, and insulin and triglycerides levels increased in MS rats. Contraction elicited by norepinephrine (NE) was stronger than KCl contraction at all ages. KCl-induced contraction increased with, age being stronger in control rats; it further increased in MS rats. Norepinephrine-induced contraction increased from day 12 to day 28 but stabilized from day 21 to day 28; it was stronger in controls and increased in MS rats. Vasorelaxation to acetylcholine in NE precontracted rings did not change during the neonatal period, being similar to MS rats and lower than in controls. Insulin-induced increase in contraction elicited by KCl increased from day 12 to day 28 and increased from control to MS rats. There is a postnatal critical window in vasoreactivity that might predispose to cardiovascular diseases in adults.

The Role of the Activation of the TRPV1 Receptor and of Nitric Oxide in Changes in Endothelial and Cardiac Function and Biomarker Levels in Hypertensive Rats.

The purpose of the present study was to analyze the actions of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) agonist capsaicin (CS) and of its antagonist capsazepine (CZ), on cardiac function as well as endothelial biomarkers and some parameters related with nitric oxide (NO) release in L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced hypertensive rats. NO has been implicated in the pathophysiology of systemic arterial hypertension (SAHT). We analyzed the levels of nitric oxide (NO), tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), cyclic guanosin monophosphate (cGMP), phosphodiesterase-3 (PDE-3), and the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1 (GTPCH-1), protein kinase B (AKT), and TRPV1 in serum and cardiac tissue of normotensive (118±3 mmHg) and hypertensive (H) rats (165 ± 4 mmHg). Cardiac mechanical performance (CMP) was calculated and NO was quantified in the coronary effluent in the Langendorff isolated heart model. In hypertensive rats capsaicin increased the levels of NO, BH4, cGMP, and TAC, and reduced PDE-3 and MDA. Expressions of eNOS, GTPCH-1, and TRPV1 were increased, while AKT was decreased. Capsazepine diminished these effects. In the hypertensive heart, CMP improved with the CS treatment. In conclusion, the activation of TRPV1 in H rats may be an alternative mechanism for the improvement of cardiac function and systemic levels of biomarkers related to the bioavailability of NO.

[Myocardial regeneration in Ambystoma mexicanum after surgical injury]. / Regeneración miocárdica en Ambystoma mexicanum después de lesión quirúrgica.

Ventricular resection of the heart of Ambystoma mexicanum was performed and the type of tissue that restored the lesion and if it is by hypertrophy or hyperplasia of myocardium, were evaluated. Masson's trichrome stain indicated that 5 days after resection, the gap was occupied with a blood clot surrounded by collagen fibres (83 +/- 6%) and muscle (10 +/- 3%) and the rest of area (7 +/- 2%) free of tissue. A proportion of 50 +/- 4 and 90 +/- 2% was muscular tissue, 10 and 30 days after injury. The evaluation with bis-Benzimide indicated cell proliferation in the injured area. The double immunohistochemistry for alpha-sarcomeric actin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen indicated that the tissue that occupied the injury-produced gap was originated by cardiomyocyte proliferation, which presented a maximum of 68%, 5 day after injury. Our results indicate that the myocardium of A. mexicanum recovers its structure through cardiomyocyte hyperplasia and suggest that the myocardial regenerative capacity is higher than the reported for adult mammals (1%) and other non-mammalian vertebrates (32%). This characteristic makes A. mexicanum a suitable model to study the mechanisms that regulate per se, the myocardial regeneration in adult vertebrates in vivo.

[Proliferation of adult mammalian ventricular cardiomyocytes: a sporadic but feasible phenomenon]. / La proliferación de los miocitos ventriculares del corazón de mamífero adulto: un fenómeno esporádico pero factible.

Proliferation of adult mammalian ventricular cardiomyocytes has been ruled out by some researchers, who have argued that these cells are terminally differentiated; however, this dogma has been rejected because other researchers have reported that these cells can present the processes necessary to proliferate, that is, DNA synthesis, mitosis and cytokinesis when the heart is damaged experimentally through pharmacological and surgical strategies or due to pathological conditions concerning the cardiovascular system. This review integrates some of the available works in the literature evaluating the DNA synthesis, mitosis and cytokinesis in these myocytes, when the myocardium is damaged, with the purpose of knowing if their proliferation can be considered as a feasible phenomenon. The review is concluded with a reflection about the perspectives of the knowledge generated in this area.

Functional and structural regeneration in the axolotl heart (Ambystoma mexicanum) after partial ventricular amputation.

"In the present study we evaluated the effect of partial ventricular amputation (PVA) in the heart of the adult urodele amphibian (Ambystoma mexicanum) in vivo on spontaneous heart contractile activity recorded in vitro in association to the structural recovery at one, five, 30 and 90 days after injury. One day after PVA, ventricular-tension (VT) (16 ± 3%), atrium-tension (AT) (46 ± 4%) and heart rate (HR) (58+10%) resulted lower in comparison to control hearts. On days five, 30 and 90 after damage, values achieved a 61 ± 5, 93 ± 3, and 98 ± 5% (VT), 60 ± 4, 96 ± 3 and 99 ± 5% (AT) and 74 ± 5, 84 ± 10 and 95 ± 10% (HR) of the control values, respectively. Associated to contractile activity recovery we corroborated a gradual tissue restoration by cardiomyocyte proliferation. Our results represent the first quantitative evidence about the recovery of heart of A. mexicanum restores its functional capacity concomitantly to the structural recovery of the myocardium by proliferation of cardiomyocytes after PVA. These properties make the heart of A. mexicanum a potential model to study the mechanisms underlying heart regeneration in adult vertebrates in vivo.

La proliferación de los miocitos ventriculares del corazón de mamífero adulto: un fenómeno esporádico pero factible / Proliferation of adult mammalian ventricular cardiomyocytes: A sporadic but feasible phenomenon

La proliferación de los miocitos que forman parte de los ventrículos cardíacos del mamífero adulto ha sido descartada por algunos investigadores con el argumento de que estas células están diferenciadas en forma terminal; sin embargo, este dogma ha sido puesto en duda a partir de los hallazgos de otros investigadores quienes han observado que estos miocitos pueden presentar los procesos necesarios para la proliferación, es decir síntesis de ADN, mitosis y citocinesis, cuando el miocardio se daña en forma experimental con estrategias de tipo farmacológico o quirúrgico, o debido a condiciones patológicas relacionadas con el sistema cardiovascular. Esta revisión integra algunos de los trabajos disponibles en la literatura que han evaluado la síntesis del ADN, mitosis y citocinesis en estas células, en el miocardio dañado, para saber si su proliferación puede ser considerada como un fenómeno factible. La revisión concluye con una reflexión sobre las perspectivas del conocimiento generado en esta área de estudio.

Proliferation of adult mammalian ventricular cardiomyocytes has been ruled out by some researchers, who have argued that these cells are terminally differentiated; however, this dogma has been rejected because other researchers have reported that these cells can present the processes necessary to proliferate, that is, DNA synthesis, mitosis and cytokinesis when the heart is damaged experimentally through pharmacological and surgical strategies or due to pathological conditions concerning the cardiovascular system. This review integrates some of the available works in the literature evaluating the DNA synthesis, mitosis and cytokinesis in these myocytes, when the myocardium is damaged, with the purpose of knowing if their proliferation can be considered as a feasible phenomenon. The review is concluded with a reflection about the perspectives of the knowledge generated in this area.

Functional and structural regeneration in the axolotl heart (Ambystoma mexicanum) after partial ventricular amputation / Regeneración funcional y estructural del corazón de axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) después de amputación parcial del ventrículo

In the present study we evaluated the effect of partial ventricular amputation (PVA) in the heart of the adult urodele amphibian (Ambystoma mexicanum) in vivo on spontaneous heart contractile activity recorded in vitro in association to the structural recovery at one, five, 30 and 90 days after injury. One day after PVA, ventricular-tension (VT) (16 ± 3%), atrium-tension (AT) (46 ± 4%) and heart rate (HR) (58 ± 10%) resulted lower in comparison to control hearts. On days five, 30 and 90 after damage, values achieved a 61 ± 5, 93 ± 3, and 98 ± 5% (VT), 60 ± 4, 96 ± 3 and 99 ± 5% (AT) and 74 ± 5, 84 ± 10 and 95 ± 10% (HR) of the control values, respectively. Associated to contractile activity recovery we corroborated a gradual tissue restoration by cardiomyocyte proliferation. Our results represent the first quantitative evidence about the recovery of heart contractile activity after PVA in an adult urodele amphibian, indicating that the heart of A. mexicanum restores its functional capacity concomitantly to the structural recovery of the myocardium by proliferation of cardiomyocytes after PVA. These properties make the heart of A. mexicanum a potential model to study the mechanisms underlying heart regeneration in adult vertebrates in vivo.

En el presente estudio evaluamos el efecto de la amputación parcial del ventrículo (APV) del corazón de un anfibio urodelo adulto (Ambystoma mexicanum) in vivo, sobre la actividad contráctil espontánea del corazón registrada in vitro, a diferentes tiempos después de APV, en asociación a su recuperación estructural. Un día después del daño, los valores de tensión ventricular (TV) (16 ± 3%), tensión auricular (TA) (46 + 4%) y frecuencia cardiaca (FC) (58 + 10%), resultaron ser menores respecto al control. En los días cinco, 30 y 90 después del daño, los valores alcanzaron 61 ± 5, 93 ± 3 y 98 ± 5% (TV), 60 ± 4, 96 ± 3 y 99 ± 5% (AT) y 74 ± 5, 84 ± 10 y 95 ± 10% (FC) de los valores control, respectivamente. Además de la recuperación de la actividad contráctil, corroboramos la recuperación estructural y gradual del tejido miocárdico por proliferación de cardiomiocitos. Nuestros resultados representan la primera evidencia cuantitativa de la recuperación de la actividad contráctil del corazón de un anfibio urodelo adulto después de APV; indicando que el corazón de A. mexicanum recupera su capacidad funcional concomitantemente con la recuperación estructural del miocardio por proliferación de cardiomiocitos. El corazón de A. mexicanum es un modelo potencial para el estudio de los mecanismos de la regeneración miocárdica de vertebrados adultos in vivo.

Isoproterenol-produced damage in amphibian heart could be mediated by adrenergic receptors located in the heart muscle.

In mammals, isoproterenol may produce heart damage in part by binding to adrenergic receptors in the coronary arteries. Previously we showed evidence that isoproterenol produces cellular necrosis and interstitial fibrosis in the ventricle of the heart of an amphibian, which has no coronary arteries. The present study examines responses to 3-adrenergic receptor stimulation in the heart of urodele amphibians. The hearts from three amphibians; Ambystoma mexicanum, A. tigrinum and A. dumerilii were mounted in an organ bath at 16+/-2 degrees C. The spontaneous isometric contractions (heart rate and isometric tension) were recorded using a tension transducer connected to polygraph. Concentration-response to isoproterenol in the presence and absence of propranolol (10(-6)) was recorded. The basal heart rate in the A. mexicanum heart was 19+/-2 beats/min and in A. tigrinum and A. dumerilii was 14+/-2 beats/min. The auricular tension was 284+/-15, 190+/-10, 140+/-8 mg, while the ventricular tension was of 62+/-3, 55+/-2 and 29+/-2 mg for A. mexicanum, A. tigrinum and A. dumenrilii respectively. Isoproterenol (10(-9), 10(-6), 10(-3) M) increased the heart rate and tension in a dose-dependent manner, and the effect was reversed in presence of propranolol. Our results indicate that isoproterenol-induced heart damage in urodele amphibians can be mediated by beta-adrenergic receptors located in the heart muscle. In the future, it will be necessary to characterize adrenergic receptor subtypes directly in these species, in order to understand the mechanism underlying the use of isoproterenol in experimental models of cardiac injury in non- mammalian vertebrates.

Regeneración miocárdica en Ambystoma mexicanum después de lesión quirúrgica / Myocardial regeneration in Ambystoma mexicanum after surgical injury

Se realizó resección ventricular en el corazón de Ambystoma mexicanum, se evaluó si la restitución del tejido resulta de hipertrofia o de hiperplasia. Por medio de una tinción tricrómica se encontró que 5 días después del daño en el espacio de la resección se encontró un coágulo rodeado de fibras de colágena (83 ± 6%), músculo (10 ± 3%) y zonas sin tejido (7 ± 2%). Una proporción de 50 ± 4 y 90 ± 2% correspondió a tejido muscular 10 y 30 días después de la lesión. La tinción con bis-Benzimida indicó que en la zona lesionada hay proliferación celular. En tanto que la inmunohistoquímica doble para actina sarcomérica a y antígeno nuclear de proliferación celular mostró que el tejido que restituyó el espacio se produjo por proliferación de cardiomiocitos con un valor máximo de 68%, 5 días después de la lesión. Nuestros resultados indican que el miocardio de A. mexicanum recupera su estructura mediante la hiperplasia de cardiomiocitos y sugieren que su capacidad regenerativa es mayor que la informada para mamíferos adultos (1%), y para otros vertebrados no mamíferos (32%). Esto hace de A. mexicanum un modelo idóneo para estudiar los mecanismos reguladores de la regeneración miocárdica per se, en vertebrados adultos in vivo.

Ventricular resection of the heart of Ambystoma mexicanum was performed and the type of tissue that restored the lesion and if it is by hypertrophy or hyperplasia of myocardium, were evaluated. Masson's trichrome stain indicated that 5 days after resection, the gap was occupied with a blood clot surrounded by collagen fibres (83 ± 6%) and muscle (10 ± 3%) and the rest of area (7 ± 2%) free of tissue. A proportion of 50 ± 4 and 90 ± 2% was muscular tissue, 10 and 30 days after injury. The evaluation with bis-Benzimide indicated cell proliferation in the injured area. The double immunohistochemistry for a-sarcomeric actin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen indicated that the tissue that occupied the injury-produced gap was originated by cardiomyocyte proliferation, which presented a maximum of 68%, 5 day after injury. Our results indicate that the myocardium of A. mexicanum recovers its structure through cardiomyocyte hyperplasia and suggest that the myocardial regenerative capacity is higher than the reported for adult mammals (1%) and other non-mammalian vertebrates (32%). This characteristic makes A. mexicanum a suitable model to study the mechanisms that regulate per se, the myocardial regeneration in adult vertebrates in vivo.