Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) or lycopene supplementation attenuates ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction through different mechanistic pathways.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of tomato or lycopene supplementation on cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). Male Wistar rats were assigned to four groups: the sham group (animals that underwent simulated surgery) that received a standard chow (S; n=18), the infarcted group that received a standard chow (MI; n=13), the infarcted group supplemented with lycopene (1 mg of lycopene/kg body weight/day) (MIL; n=16) and the infarcted group supplemented with tomato (MIT; n=16). After 3 months, morphological, functional and biochemical analyses were performed. The groups MIL and MIT showed decreased interstitial fibrosis induced by infarction. Tomato supplementation attenuated the hypertrophy induced by MI. In addition, tomato and lycopene improved diastolic dysfunction evaluated by echocardiographic and isolated heart studies, respectively. The MI group showed higher levels of cardiac TNF-α compared to the MIL and MIT groups. Decreased nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 was measured in the MIL group. Lipid hydroperoxide levels were higher in the infarcted groups; however, the MIT group had a lower concentration than did the MI group [S=223±20.8, MI=298±19.5, MIL=277±26.6, MIT=261±28.8 (nmol/g); n=8; P<.001]. We also examined left ventricle miRNA expression; when compared to the S group, the MIL group uniquely down-regulated the expression of eight miRNAs. No miRNA was found to be up-regulated uniquely in the MIT and MIL groups. In conclusion, tomato or lycopene supplementation attenuated the cardiac remodeling process and improved diastolic function after MI. However, the effect of lycopene and tomato supplementation occurred through different mechanistic pathways.

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) Supplementation Induces Changes in Cardiac miRNA Expression, Reduces Oxidative Stress and Left Ventricular Mass, and Improves Diastolic Function.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of tomato supplementation on the normal rat heart and the role of oxidative stress in this scenario. Male Wistar rats were assigned to two groups: a control group (C; n = 16), in which animals received a control diet + 0.5 mL of corn oil/kg body weight/day, and a tomato group (T; n = 16), in which animals received a control diet supplemented with tomato +0.5 mL of corn oil/kg body weight/day. After three months, morphological, functional, and biochemical analyses were performed. Animals supplemented with tomato had a smaller left atrium diameter and myocyte cross-sectional area (CSA) compared to the control group (C group: 474 (415-539); T group: 273 (258-297) µm²; p = 0.004). Diastolic function was improved in rats supplemented with tomato. In addition, lipid hydroperoxide was lower (C group: 267 ± 46.7; T group: 219 ± 23.0 nmol/g; p = 0.039) in the myocardium of rats supplemented with tomato. Tomato intake was also associated with up-regulation of miR-107 and miR-486 and down-regulation of miR-350 and miR-872. In conclusion, tomato supplementation induces changes in miRNA expression and reduces oxidative stress. In addition, these alterations may be responsible for CSA reduction and diastolic function improvement.

Pamidronate attenuates diastolic dysfunction induced by myocardial infarction associated with changes in geometric patterning.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of pamidronate on ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were assigned to four groups: a sham group, in which animals were submitted to simulated surgery and received weekly subcutaneous injection of saline (S group; n=14); a group in which animals received weekly subcutaneous injection of pamidronate (3 mg/kg of body weight) and were submitted to simulated surgery (SP group, n=14); a myocardial infarction group, in which animals were submitted to coronary artery ligation and received weekly subcutaneous injection of saline (MI group, n=13); and a myocardial infarction group with pamidronate treatment (MIP group, n=14). The rats were observed for three months. RESULTS: Animals submitted to MI had left chamber enlargement and worse diastolic and systolic function compared with SHAM groups. E/A ratio, LV posterior and relative wall thickness were lower in the MIP compared with the MI group. There was no interaction between pamidronate administration and MI on systolic function, myocyte hypertrophy, collagen content, and calcium handling proteins. CONCLUSION: Pamidronate attenuates diastolic dysfunction following MI.