Pterostilbene protects against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury via activating eNOS in diabetic rats

Diabetic patients are more susceptible to myocardial ischemic injury. Pterostilbene (Pte), an analog of resveratrol, exerts a cardioprotective effect. However, the protective effect of Pte against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury in diabetes remains unclear. Male SD rats were fed with high-fat diet and injected with streptozotocin once to induce diabetes. Rats were injected intraperitoneally with Pte before subjected to MI/R injury. The left ventricular function, infarct size, serum LDH and CK-MB levels, cell apoptosis and oxidative stress were assessed. Pte treatment improved cardiac function and reduced infarct size. Moreover, Pte reduced malonaldialdehyde (MDA) content and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Additionally, Pte increased eNOS phosphorylation in diabetic rats. In conclusion, Pte reduces diabetes-exacerbated MI/R injury and oxidative stress via activating eNOS in diabetic rats, suggesting that Pte may be a promising therapeutic agent for myocardial ischemia in diabetic patients.