Cardioprotective Effect of Betulinic Acid on Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Rats. (21st May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xia, Anzhou; Xue, Zhi; Li, Yong; Wang, Wei; Xia, Jieyun; Wei, Tiantian; Cao, Jing; Zhou, Weidong
• Other Names: Wu Shi-Biao Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine. Volume 2014(2014)
• Publication Date: 2014-05-21
• Subjects: Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; 615.505
• DOI: 10.1155/2014/573745
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-427X

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives . This study aims to investigate the effect of betulinic acid (BA) on myocardial ischemia reperfusion/injury in an open-chest anesthetized rat model. Methods . The model was induced by 30 minutes left anterior descending occlusion followed by 2 hours reperfusion. There are six groups in our present study: sham operation group, ischemia/reperfusion group, low-dosage BA group, medium-dosage BA group, high-dosage BA group, and fosinopril sodium group. Rats in the latter four groups were administrated with BA (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, i.g.) or fosinopril sodium (10 mg/kg, i.g.) once a day for 7 days before operation, respectively. Rats in the former two groups were given the same volume of vehicle (0.5% CMC-Na, i.g.). During the operation, cardiac function was continuously monitored. Serum LDH and CK were measured with colorimetric assays. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax and the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes were investigated with western blot and TUNEL assay, respectively. Results . Pretreatment with BA improved cardiac function and attenuated LDH and CK activities compared with IR group. Further investigation demonstrated that the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax and TUNEL assay was in line with the above results. Conclusion . BA may reduce the release of LDH and CK, prevent cardiomyocytes apoptosis, and eventually alleviate the extent of the myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.