Effects of curcumin on the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and the expression of NF-κB, PPAR-γ and Bcl-2 in rats with myocardial infarction injury

Abstract

Curcumin is a natural polyphenol with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study evaluated the protective effect of curcumin on myocardial injury in rats as well as the mechanisms underlying these effects, and examined the expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) and B-cell leukemia/lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) following myocardial infarction. A rat model of myocardial infarction was successfully established. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed cellular atrophy and hyperchromatic cytoplasm in the myocardial infarction area. The myocardial cells displayed lysis and breakage of cardiac muscle fibers, karyopyknosis and karyorrhexis associated with infiltration of inflammatory cells and proliferation of fibrous tissue. Curcumin treatment at a dosage of 150 mg/kg/body weight resulted in an increase in surviving cells, fewer apoptotic cells, decreased proliferation of fibrous tissue and reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells, though necrosis was still present compared with the rats without curcumin treatment. The immunohistochemical assay demonstrated that curcumin treatment inhibited the expression of NF-κB, but increased the expression of PPAR-γ. The results of the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction indicated that curcumin treatment significantly increased the mRNA expression levels of Bcl-2 (P<0.01). Therefore, curcumin antagonizes cardiomyocyte apoptosis and inhibits inflammatory cell infiltration following myocardial infarction, which may be associated with its inhibitory effects on the expression of NF-κB, and activating effects on the expression of PPAR-γ and Bcl-2 in myocardial cells. Curcumin may be useful in clinical practice for saving more living heart muscle in the area of myocardial infarction and improving cardiac function following the elective opening of obstructed coronary arteries.

Changes in the expression of interleukin-10 in myocardial infarction and its relationship with macrophage activation and cell apoptosis

“…On day 7 of myocardial infarction, inflammatory cell infiltration in the infarcted areas was more significant. Among them, the expression of MCP-1 protein showed a peak, blocking the apoptotic pathway and inhibiting the occurrence of apoptosis [5,21]. However, the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax is closely related to cell apoptosis and survival [6,22].…”

“…Myocardial cells undergo apoptosis in addition to ischemia and necrosis in patients with coronary heart diseases [4,5]. Currently, numerous apoptotic proteins are being studied, in which B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) protein family is the most commonly investigated and is the most classical apoptotic protein [5,6].…”

Cardioprotective Effects of Dietary Phytochemicals on Oxidative Stress in Heart Failure by a Sex-Gender-Oriented Point of View

“…It has been proposed that the cardioprotective role of curcumin against myocardial injury is related to the activation of JAK2/-STAT3 signaling pathway [141]. Other pathways related to curcumin effects in HF are the modulation of AT1/AT2 receptors and NF-κB [142,143]. It is also reported that curcumin-reduced acetylation has a beneficial effect against myocardial injury [144].…”

“…Nonetheless, Gylling et al [172] have reported beneficial effects on endothelial function and arterial stiffness. Other authors relate the restore of endothelial function to the modification of biomarkers such as E-selectin and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) [143,173]. However, in a setting of dyslipidemic patients, either modification of inflammatory profile or endothelial function was not observed.…”

The Inhibitory Effect of Curcumin on Ornithine Decarboxylase against Hepatic Carcinoma

“…This special structure is responsible for the antioxidant activity of the curcumin [10]. It consists of two benzene rings, one having a phenol hydroxy and the other having a phenol methoxy showing the ability of curcumin to act as a hydrogen donor eliminating oxygen free radicals [11]. Several studies have shown that curcumin possesses anti-proliferative and anti-carcinogenic properties in a wide variety of in vitro and in vivo studies.…”