Critical Care Medicine
Role of Nrf2-Gpx4 signaling pathway in Shenmai injection-induced reduction of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury: relationship with ferroptosis in rats
Mei Shenglan, Xia Zhongyuan, Wu Xiaojing, Lei Shaoqing, Meng Qingtao, Qiu Zhen, Zhou Bin, Ming Hao, Zhou Jinjian
Published 2019-11-20
Cite as Chin J Anesthesiol, 2019,39(11): 1395-1398. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-1416.2019.11.031
Abstract
ObjectiveTo evaluate the role of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) signaling pathway in Shenmai injection-induced reduction of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and the relationship with ferroptosis in rats.
MethodsForty-eight SPF healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 220-250 g, were divided into 4 groups (n=12 each) by a random number table method: sham operation group (S group), myocardial I/R group (IR group), Shenmai injection group (SM group), and Shenmai injection plus Nrf2 inhibitor group (SMM group). Acute myocardial I/R injury was induced by ligating the anterior descending brach of the left coronary artery for 30 min followed by 120-min reperfusion in anesthetized rats.In SM group, Shenmai injection 9 ml/kg was intravenously injected immediately before reperfusion.In group SMM, Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 30 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 30 min before ischemia, and Shenmai injection 9 ml/kg was intravenously injected immediately before reperfusion.Six rats in each group were selected at 120 min of reperfusion, blood samples were collected from the left ventricle, the rats were then sacrificed, specimens were obtained from cardiac apex for examination of the ultrastructure and for determination of serum cardiac tropomin I( cTnI) level (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), contents of Fe2+ and malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (by colometry), and expression of Nrf2, GPX4 and AcylCoA synthetase longchain family member 4 (ACSL4) (by Western blot). Another 6 rats in each group were selected to measure the myocardial infarct size.
ResultsCompared with group S, the myocardial infarct size, serum cTnI concentrations, and myocardial Fe2+ and MDA contents were significantly increased, the activity of SOD was decreased, the expression of Nrf2 and GPX4 was down-regulated, and the expression of ACSL4 was up-regulated in IR, SM and SMM groups (P<0.05). Compared with group IR, the myocardial infarct size, serum cTnI concentrations, and myocardial Fe2+ and MDA contents were significantly decreased, the activity of SOD was increased, the expression of Nrf2 and GPX4 was up-regulated, and the expression of ACSL4 was down-regulated in group SM (P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group SMM (P>0.05). Compared with group SM, the myocardial infarct size, serum cTnI concentrations, and myocardial Fe2+ contents were significantly increased, the activity of SOD was decreased, the expression of Nrf2 and GPX4 was down-regulated, and the expression of ACSL4 was up-regulated in group SMM (P<0.05).
ConclusionActivation of Nrf2-Gpx4 signaling pathway is involved in Shenmai injection-induced reduction of myocardial I/R injury and is related to inhibiting ferroptosis in rats.
Key words:
NF-E2-related factor 2; Glutathione peroxidase; SAPONINS; Myocardial reperfusion injury; Cell death
Contributor Information
Mei Shenglan
Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
Xia Zhongyuan
Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
Wu Xiaojing
Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
Lei Shaoqing
Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
Meng Qingtao
Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
Qiu Zhen
Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
Zhou Bin
Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
Ming Hao
Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
Zhou Jinjian
Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China