Cardioprotective effect of taurine and ß-alanine against cardiac disease in myocardial ischemia and reperfusion-induced rats

BACKGROUND: The present study analyzed the synergistic protective effect of ß-alanine and taurine against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion. Myocardial infarct size, lipid peroxidation, and levels of glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, and the mRNA and protein expression of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator 3 of transcription (STAT3) were determined. The molecular docking was carried out by using AutoDock 4.2.1. RESULTS: Combined treatment with ß-alanine and taurine reduced myocardial infarct size, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory marker, ROS levels, and apoptosis and increased Gpx, SOD activity, GSH, and catalase activity. Furthermore, combined treatment significantly reduced JAK2 and STAT3 mRNA and protein expression compared with the control. The small molecule was docked over the SH2 domain of a STAT3, and binding mode was determined to investigate the inhibitory potential of ß-alanine and taurine. ß-Alanine bound to SH2 domain with ΔG of -7.34 kcal/mol and KI of 1.91 µM. Taurine bound to SH2 domain with ΔG of -7.38 kcal/mol and KI of 1.95 µM. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results suggest that the combined supplementation of ß-alanine and taurine should be further investigated as an effective therapeutic approach in achieving cardioprotection in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion.

Cardio-protective properties of Momordica charantia in Albino Rats.

Momordica charantia, commonly known as bitter gourd, is used as a vegetable by the Asian community in Africa. It is frequently used as an anti-diabetic herb for the management of disease in the Ayurvedic system of Medicine. This present study was aimed at evaluating possible cardio-protective properties of M. charantia by determining its effect on blood cholesterol levels in albino rats. The study involved 25 rats and they were divided into 5 groups each comprising of 5 rats. The aqueous extract of M. Charantia was administered orally with syringes and cannula to 4 groups at different doses (80mg/kg, 100mg/kg, 120mg/kg and 140mg/kg body weights per day, respectively) and the last group served as the control and were given drug vehicle (normal saline) only. After two weeks of administration, the 25 rats were sacrificed and blood samples were collected and assayed for total blood cholesterol, triglyceride, highdensity lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein levels. Results indicated that M. charantia plant extract increased significantly (P<0.05) the low density lipoprotein levels in the experimental group B (100mg/kg), and significantly reduced low density lipoprotein levels (P<0.05) in the experimental group A (80mg/kg), when compared to the control group. This study showed that M. charantia plant extract has cardio-protective properties by its dose-dependent effects on blood cholesterol.