ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide; hence, there is an urgent need to discover novel cardioprotective strategies. Kynurenic acid (KYNA), a metabolite of the kynurenine pathway, has been previously reported to have cardioprotective effects. However, the mechanisms by which KYNA may be protective are still unclear. The current study addressed this issue by investigating KYNA's cardioprotective effect in the context of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion. METHODS: H9C2 cells and rats were exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation or myocardial infarction, respectively, in the presence or absence of KYNA. In vitro, cell death was quantified using flow cytometry analysis of propidium iodide staining. In vivo, TTC-Evans Blue staining was performed to evaluate infarct size. Mitochondrial respiratory chain complex activities were measured using spectrophotometry. Protein expression was evaluated by Western blot, and mRNA levels by RT-qPCR. RESULTS: KYNA treatment significantly reduced H9C2-relative cell death as well as infarct size. KYNA did not exhibit any effect on the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex activity. SOD2 mRNA levels were increased by KYNA. A decrease in p62 protein levels together with a trend of increase in PARK2 may mark a stimulation of mitophagy. Additionally, ERK1/2, Akt, and FOXO3α phosphorylation levels were significantly reduced after the KYNA treatment. Altogether, KYNA significantly reduced myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injuries in both in vitro and in vivo models. CONCLUSION: Here we show that KYNA-mediated cardioprotection was associated with enhanced mitophagy and antioxidant defense. A deeper understanding of KYNA's cardioprotective mechanisms is necessary to identify promising novel therapeutic targets and their translation into the clinical arena.
ABSTRACT
Not applicable.
ABSTRACT
Background The cardiovascular protective effects of estrogens in premenopausal women depend mainly on estrogen receptor α (ERα). ERα activates nuclear gene transcription regulation and membrane-initiated signaling. The latter plays a key role in estrogen-dependent activation of endothelial NO synthase. The goal of the present work was to determine the respective roles of the 2 ERα activities in endothelial function and cardiac and kidney damage in young and old female mice with hypertension, which is a major risk factor in postmenopausal women. Methods and Results Five- and 18-month-old female mice lacking either ERα (ERα-/-), the nuclear activating function AF2 of ERα (AF2°), or membrane-located ERα (C451A) were treated with angiotensin II (0.5 mg/kg per day) for 1 month. Systolic blood pressure, left ventricle weight, vascular reactivity, and kidney function were then assessed. Angiotensin II increased systolic blood pressure, ventricle weight, and vascular contractility in ERα-/- and AF2° mice more than in wild-type and C451A mice, independent of age. In both the aorta and mesenteric resistance arteries, angiotensin II and aging reduced endothelium-dependent relaxation in all groups, but this effect was more pronounced in ERα-/- and AF2° than in the wild-type and C451A mice. Kidney inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as blood urea and creatinine levels, were also more pronounced in old hypertensive ERα-/- and AF2° than in old hypertensive wild-type and C451A mice. Conclusions The nuclear ERα-AF2 dependent function attenuates angiotensin II-dependent hypertension and protects target organs in aging mice, whereas membrane ERα signaling does not seem to play a role.
Subject(s)
Aging/metabolism , Estrogen Receptor alpha/metabolism , Hypertension/prevention & control , Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular/prevention & control , Nephritis/prevention & control , Age Factors , Aging/genetics , Angiotensin II , Animals , Aorta, Thoracic/metabolism , Aorta, Thoracic/physiopathology , Arterial Pressure , Disease Models, Animal , Estrogen Receptor alpha/deficiency , Estrogen Receptor alpha/genetics , Female , Hypertension/chemically induced , Hypertension/metabolism , Hypertension/physiopathology , Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular/etiology , Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular/metabolism , Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular/physiopathology , Kidney/metabolism , Kidney/physiopathology , Mesenteric Arteries/metabolism , Mesenteric Arteries/physiopathology , Mice, Knockout , Nephritis/etiology , Nephritis/metabolism , Nephritis/physiopathology , Vasodilation , Ventricular Function, Left , Ventricular RemodelingABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study aims to compare the effects of storage solutions commonly used in coronary artery bypass grafting on the vascular reactivity in vein graft interposed in arterial position in syngeneic rats. METHODS: Twenty-seven male Lewis rats were sacrified to sample a vein graft implanted 6 weeks ago into abdominal aorta position. The vein grafts were inferior venae cavae initially pretreated with heparinized saline solution (HS) or autologous heparinized blood (AHB) or our referent solution, GALA. The endothelial functionality, the in situ Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels and the histological characteristics were conducted from segments of arterialized vein graft. RESULTS: At 6 weeks, graft thrombosis occurred respectively in 22% of AHB group, 62.5% in the HS group and 82.5% in the GALA group. In each group, significative intimal hyperplasia was observed. After 6 weeks, an endothelium-remodeling layer associated with an increase of wall thickness was observed in each group. Endothelium-dependent tone was reduced in the vein graft regardless of the group. No difference was observed concerning the ROS in vein graft between the different groups. In distal aortic sections, ROS levels were increased in HS and GALA groups. CONCLUSIONS: Storage solutions used in this experimental model of vein graft implanted in arterial position cause graft injury and a complete disappearance of vascular reactivity. GALA solution did not reduce intimal risk hyperplasia when the vein graft was exposed to arterial flow in a rat model.
