Cardio-Protective Effects of Germinated Brown Rice Extract Against Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury.

Introduction: Ischemic heart disease is closely associated with many risk factors. Germinated brown rice extract (GBR) has potent antioxidant activities for alleviating the factors for developing heart failure such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

Aim: The objective of the present study was to determine the cardio-protective effects of GBR and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these effects in a model of simulated myocardial ischemic/ reperfusion injury (sI/R).

Methods: An in vitro study was performed on cultured rat cardiomyoblasts (H9c2) exposed to sI/R. The expression of apoptosis and signaling proteins was assessed using Western blot analyses. Eighteen New Zealand White rabbits were divided into 3 groups and the left circumflex coronary artery was ligated to induce myocardial ischemia. Heart functions were monitored by electrocardiography and echocardiography 0, 30, and 60 days after coronary artery ligation.

Results: GBR consumption group showed significantly improved cardiac function and reduced the heart rate, along with reduced mean arterial pressure and plasma glucose level. Also, GBR showed good scavenging activity, pretreatment with GBR inhibited I/R induced apoptosis by suppressing the production of caspase 3 and p38 MAPK.

Conclusions: These results suggest that intake of germinated brown rice may effectively to protect cell proliferation and apoptosis and may provide important nutrients to prevent heart failure due to myocardial ischemia.