Effect of N-2-mercaptopropionyl glycine on exercise-induced cardiac adaptations.

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that exercise-induced cardiac adaptations would be attenuated by the free radical scavenger N-2-mercaptopropionyl glycine (MPG). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (n = 9-13 per group) for 3-4 wk: sedentary (S), S+MPG (100 mg/kg ip daily), exercised on a treadmill (E) (60 min/day, 5 days/wk, at a speed of 20 m/min up a 6° grade in a 6°C room), or E+MPG given 10 min prior to exercise. Additional rats (n = 55) were used to determine acute exercise effects on myocardial redox state [nonprotein nonglutathione sulfhydryls (NPNGSH)] and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway activation.

Extracellular ubiquitin inhibits beta-AR-stimulated apoptosis in cardiac myocytes: role of GSK-3beta and mitochondrial pathways.

Aims: Beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) stimulation induces apoptosis in adult rat ventricular myocytes (ARVMs) via the activation of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta) and mitochondrial pathways. However, beta-AR stimulation induces apoptosis only in a fraction ( approximately 15-20%) of ARVMs. We hypothesized that ARVMs may secrete/release a survival factor(s) which protects 80-85% of cells from apoptosis.

Effects of hawthorn on the progression of heart failure in a rat model of aortic constriction.

Study Objective: To determine the effects of hawthorn (Crataegus oxycantha) on left ventricular remodeling and function in pressure overload-induced heart failure in an animal model.

Design: Randomized, parallel, dose-ranging animal study.

Setting: University research facility.

Effects of hawthorn on cardiac remodeling and left ventricular dysfunction after 1 month of pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats.

Purpose: Hawthorn (Crataegus) is a natural product used to treat patients with heart failure. The effects of hawthorn on cardiac remodeling, however, are not known. The purpose was to determine the effects of hawthorn treatment on remodeling and function of the left ventricle (LV) after 1 month of pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

Evaluation of hawthorn extract on immunomodulatory biomarkers in a pressure overload model of heart failure.

Background: Hawthorn extract (Crataegeus sp.) a botanical complementary and alternative medicine is often used to treat heart failure. The mechanism(s) by which hawthorn extract may treat heart failure is unknown but may include, theoretically, immunological effects.