Anti-inflammatory effect of hydrogen-rich saline in a rat model of regional myocardial ischemia and reperfusion

Introduction: To study the possible anti-inflammatory effect of hydrogen-rich saline (H-2 saline) on rat hearts with regional myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). Methods: Sixty-six rats were equally randomized to three groups: sham-operated group, I/R group (control group) and I/R plus H-2 saline treatment group. Myocardial I/R was established by occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery for 30 min and reperfusion for 24 h. Results: H-2 saline treatment attenuated I/R-induced cardiac cell apoptosis, presenting as significant improvement of heart function parameters 24 h after reperfusion, including left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular diastolic pressure (LVEDP), +(dP/dt)max and -(dP/dt)max. It also decreased neutrophil infiltration, 3-nitrotyrosine level, expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1(ICAM-1) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the area at risk zones (AAR) of rat hearts subjected to regional myocardial I/R, and attenuated the increase of I/R induced proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1b) levels in the AAR. Conclusion: H-2 saline has an anti-inflammatory effect on rat hearts with regional myocardial I/R. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.