Curcumin protects hearts from FFA-induced injury by activating Nrf2 and inactivating NF-κB both in vitro and in vivo. (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zeng, Chunlai; Zhong, Peng; Zhao, Yunjie; Kanchana, Karvannan; Zhang, Yali; Khan, Zia A.; Chakrabarti, Subrata; Wu, Lianpin; Wang, Jingying; Liang, Guang
• Is Part Of: Journal of molecular and cellular cardiology. Volume 79(2015:Feb.)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 12
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Free fatty acids -- Cardioprotection -- Curcumin -- Oxidative stress -- Inflammation; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Heart Diseases -- Periodicals; Molecular Biology -- Periodicals; Cardiologie -- Périodiques; Cardiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.12
• DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2014.10.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-2828

Abstract

Abstract: Obesity and increased free fatty acid (FFA) level are tightly linked, leading to the development of cardiovascular disorders. Curcumin is a natural product from Curcuma longa with multiple bioactivities and is known to have cardioprotective effects in several cellular and animal models. The current study was designed to evaluate the cardioprotective effects of curcumin and demonstrate the underlying mechanism in FFA-induced cardiac injury. Using cell culture studies and high fat in vivo model, we explored the mechanistic basis of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of curcumin. We observed that palmitate (PA) treatment in cardiac derived H9C2 cells induced a marked increase in reactive oxygen species, inflammation, apoptosis and hypertrophy. All of these changes were effectively suppressed by curcumin treatment. In addition, oral administration of curcumin at 50 mg/kg completely suppressed high fat diet-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, fibrosis, hypertrophy and tissue remodeling in mice. The beneficial actions of curcumin are closely associated with its ability to increase Nrf2 expression and inhibit NF-κB activation. Thus, both in vitro and in vivo studies showed a promising role of curcumin as a cardioprotective agent against palmitate and high fat diet mediated cardiac dysfunction. We indicated the regulatory roles of Nrf2 and NF-κB in obesity-induced heart injury, and suggested that they may be important therapeutic targets in the treatment of obesity-related disorders. Highlights: Obesity and increased free fatty acid level lead to cardiovascular disorders. Curcumin suppressed palmitate-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in vitro. Curcumin reduced high fat diet-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in vivo. Curcumin functions via increasing Nrf2 expression and inhibiting NF-κB activation. Nrf2 and NF-κB play regulatory roles in obesity-induced heart injury.