BACKGROUND Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is associated with metabolic disorder and cell death, which are important triggers in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). We aimed to explore whether NLRP3 inflammasome activation contributes to DCM and the mechanism involved. METHODS Type 2 diabetic rat model was induced by high fat diet and low dose...

Flavonoids with potent anti-oxidative effects are the major effective components in traditional herbal medicine used in treating cardiovascular diseases. Cynaroside is a flavonoid compound that exhibits anti-oxidative capabilities. However, little is known about its effect on oxidative injury to cardiac myocytes and the underlying mechanisms. This study was designed to investigate the protectiv...

Cell transplantation for myocardial repair has emerged as a promising therapy for patients with heart failure. Recent in vitro and in vivo animal studies have suggested the potential of different cell types to differentiate into tissues required for cardiac repair namely endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes. In this review, we will focus on the potential of adult stem cells obtained from adult ...

Abstract  Background and Objectives: Doxorubicin as an effective chemotherapeutic agent is frequently used in various cancers. Nowadays, the application of doxorubicin is limited due to its cardiotoxic effects. The important mechanism which is involved in the cardiac injury of doxorubicin is the generation of reactive oxygen species; therefore antioxidant compounds may reduce cardiotoxicity. ...

BACKGROUND Cardiac cell transplantation is limited by poor graft viability. We aimed to enhance the survival of transplanted cardiomyoblasts using growth factor-supplemented collagen matrices. METHODS AND RESULTS H9c2 cardiomyoblasts were lentivirally transduced to express firefly luciferase and green fluorescent protein (GFP). Lewis rats underwent ligation of the left anterior descending art...

Myocardial infarction and its consequences represent one of the most demanding challenges in cell therapy and regenerative medicine. Transfer of skeletal myoblasts into decompensated hearts has been performed through intramyocardial injection. However, the achievements of both cardiomyocyte differentiation and precise integration of the injected cells into the myocardial wall, in order to augme...

AIMS The cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) protects the heart through AMPK activation. Autophagy, a conserved pathway for bulk degradation of intracellular proteins and organelles, helps preserve and recycle energy and nutrients for cells to survive under starvation. This study was designed to examine the role of MIF in cardiac homeostasis and autophagy regulation following ...

AIMS Given the importance of inflammation in the onset and progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy, we investigated the potential protective effects of triptolide, an anti-inflammatory agent, in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model and in H9c2 rat cardiac cells exposed to high glucose. METHODS AND RESULTS Diabetic rats were treated with triptolide (100, 200, or 400 μg/kg/day respectively)...