Open AccessThe neuroprotective agent Rasagiline mesylate attenuates cardiac remodeling after experimental myocardial infarction
Author(s) -
Varela Aimilia,
Mavroidis Manolis,
Katsimpoulas Michalis,
Sfiroera Irini,
Kappa Niki,
Mesa Angelica,
Kostomitsopoulos Nikolaos G.,
Cokkinos Dennis V.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
esc heart failure
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.787
H-Index - 25
ISSN - 2055-5822
DOI - 10.1002/ehf2.12140
Subject(s) - medicine , myocardial infarction , tunel assay , hydroxyproline , myocardial fibrosis , cardiology , preload , terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase , malondialdehyde , oxidative stress , cardiac fibrosis , heart failure , ventricular remodeling , ligation , pharmacology , immunohistochemistry , hemodynamics
Aim Rasagiline mesylate (N‐propargyl‐1 (R)‐aminoindan) (RG) is a selective, potent irreversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase‐B with cardioprotective and anti‐apoptotic properties. We investigated whether it could be cardioprotective in a rat model undergoing experimental myocardial infarction (MI) by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Methods and results RG was administered, intraperitoneally, for 28 days (2 mg/kg) starting 24 h after MI induction. Echocardiography analysis revealed a significant reduction in left ventricular end‐systolic and diastolic dimensions and preserved fractional shortening in RG‐treated compared with normal saline group at 28 days post‐MI (31.6 ± 2.3 vs. 19.6 ± 1.8, P < 0.0001), respectively. Treatment with RG prevented tissue fibrosis as indicated by interstitial collagen estimation by immunofluorescence staining and hydroxyproline content and attenuated the number of apoptotic myocytes in the border zone (65%) as indicated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Caspase 3 relative protein levels were significantly decreased in the non‐infarcted myocardium. Markedly decreased malondialdehyde levels in the border zone indicate a reduction in tissue oxidative stress. Conclusions Our study demonstrates a positive effect of RG in the post‐MI period with a significant attenuation in cardiac remodelling.