Protection of CAPE-pNO2 Against Chronic Myocardial Ischemia by the TGF-Β1/Galectin-3 Pathway in Vivo and in Vitro

Abstract

Background Although it is known that caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and its derivatives could ameliorate acute myocardial injury, their effects on chronic myocardial ischemia (CMI) were not reported. This study aimed to investigate the potential effect of caffeic acid p-nitro phenethyl ester (CAPE-pNO2, a derivative of CAPE) on CMI and underlying mechanisms. Methods SD rats were subjected to high-fat-cholesterol-diet (HFCD) and vitamin D3, and the H9c2 cells were treated with LPS to establish CMI model, followed by the respective treatment with saline, CAPE or CAPE-pNO2.Results In vivo, CAPE-pNO2 could reduce serum lipid levels, and improve impaired cardiac function and morphological changes. Data of related assays indicated that CAPE-pNO2 down-regulated the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and galectin-3 (Gal-3). Besides, CAPE-pNO2 decreased collagen deposition, the number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes and some related downstream proteins of Gal-3 in the CMI rats. Interestingly, the effects of CAPE-pNO2 on TGF-β1, Gal-3 and other proteins expression in lung were consistent with that in heart. In vitro, CAPE-pNO2 could attenuate the fibrosis, apoptosis and inflammation by activating TGF-β1/Gal-3 pathway in LPS-induced H9c2 cell. However, CAPE-pNO2-mediated cardioprotection can be eliminated when treated with modified citrus pectin (MCP, an inhibitor of Gal-3). And in comparison, CAPE-pNO2 presented stronger effects than CAPE.Conclusion This study indicates that CAPE-pNO2 may ameliorate CMI by suppressing fibrosis, inflammation and apoptosis via the TGF-β1/Gal-3 pathway in vivo and in vitro.