title: Protecting the heart against ischemia/reperfusion-induced necrosis and apoptosis: the effect of anthocyanins.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is well known that cardiomyocyte apoptosis contributes to ischemic heart damage. There is also increasing evidence that the polyphenolic compounds of natural origin, such as anthocyanins, may attenuate ischemia/reperfusion injury though the mechanisms of such protection are not clear. Following our previous studies showing the effect of certain anthocyanins on cytochrome c redox state, mitochondrial functions, and ischemia-induced caspase activation in the heart, here we investigated whether these anthocyanins can rescue cardiac cells from death by the mechanism involving the reduction of cytosolic cytochrome c.
  
  
  METHODS
  Before global ischemia and reperfusion, isolated rat hearts were preloaded with cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (Cy3G) that has high cytochrome c-reducing capacity or pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside (Pg3G) that possesses low reducing activity. Cell death was evaluated assessing apoptosis by the TUNEL method or necrosis measuring the release of lactate dehydrogenase into perfusate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The perfusion of hearts with 20-μM Cy3G prevented ischemia/reperfusion-induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes: the number of TUNEL-positive myocytes was decreased by 73% if compared with the untreated ischemic group. The same effect was observed measuring the activity of lactate dehydrogenase as the measure of necrosis: perfusion with 20-μM Cy3G reduced the level of LDH release into the perfusate to the control level. The perfusion of hearts with 20-μM Pg3G did not prevent ischemia/reperfusion-induced apoptosis as well as necrosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cy3G protected the rat heart from ischemia/reperfusion-induced apoptosis and necrosis; meanwhile, Pg3G did not exert any protective effect. The protective effect of Cy3G may be related due to its high capacity to reduce cytosolic cytochrome c.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute, Me-dical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių 4, 50161 Kaunas, Lithuania. skemiene@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Škėmienė
authors.forename: Giedrė
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jablonskienė
authors.forename: Julius
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liobikas
authors.forename: Vilmantė
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Borutaitė
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000378:metabolism; D019610:Cytoprotection; D005960:Glucosides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D009336:Necrosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000872:Anthocyanins; D005960:Glucosides; C462279:cyanidin-3-O-beta-glucopyranoside; C078485:pelargonidin-3-glucoside; D045304:Cytochromes c