Effects of hydrogen-rich saline on Akt/GSK3β signaling pathways and cardiac function during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion in rats

Abstract:

To explore the effects of hydrogen-rich saline on Akt/GSK3β signaling pathways and cardiac function during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats. A total of 150 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were selected and divided randomly into 5 groups of normal control (I), sham operation (II), myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (III), hydrogen-rich saline (IV) and normal saline group (V) (n = 30 each). Group I had no treatment at all. In group II, anterior descending branch was merely exposed but not ligated. Myocardial I/R was induced by 30-min occlusion of anterior descending branch of left coronary artery followed by 12/24 h reperfusion of Bimbaum. Hydrogen-rich saline 1 ml/100 g were injected intraperitoneally 5 min before reperfusion in group IV. Normal saline 1 ml/100 g was injected intraperitoneally 5 min before reperfusion in group V. The values of ± dp/dt max, left ventricular diastolic pressure (LVDP) and left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) during the procedure were recorded by BL-420 biological function experimental system at pre-ischemia, ischemia 30 min, 60 min and 120 min of reperfusion. The animals were sacrificed at 60 min, 120 min of reperfusion and hearts harvested. The pathological changes of myocardial tissue were detected by hematoxylin and eosin staining. And the expressions of Akt and GSK3β in myocardial tissue were examined by Western blot. Compared with groups I and II, the values of ± dp/dt max, LVDP and LVSP significantly increased. And the expressions of Akt and GSK3β in myocardial tissue significantly increased in groups III, IV and V. Compared with groups III and V, the values of ± dp/dt max, LVDP and LVSP significantly decreased. And the expressions of Akt and GSK3β in myocardial tissue significantly decreased in group IV. Compared with T0, the values of ± dp/dt max, LVDP and LVSP significantly decreased at T1-3 in groups III, IV and V. Compared with T1, the values of ± dp/dt max, LVDP and LVSP significantly increased at T2-3 in group IV. Compared with T2, the expressions of Akt and GSK3β in myocardial tissue significantly decreased at T3 in group IV. Hydrogen-rich saline can reduce myocardial reperfusion injury and improve heart function. The mechanism may be due to associated with the down-regulated expressions of Akt and GSK3β in myocardial tissue.