Effects of salvianolate on cardiomyocytic apoptosis and heart function in a swine model of acute myocardial infarction

Abstract

To observe the effects of salvianolate on cardiomyocytes apoptosis and heart function in a swine model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A total of 21 young swine were randomly divided into untreated group, low-dose salvianolate (LS) group and high-dose salvianolate (HS) group (7 in each group). AMI was induced by ligaturing left anterior descending coronary artery. After the operation, 400 or 200 mg salvianolate dissolved in 250 mL 5% glucose saline was administered by intravenous drip to swine in the HS group and the LS group respectively for 7 days. The swine in the untreated group were administered with 250 mL 5% glucose saline. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and myocardial perfusion were measured by gated myocardial perfusion imaging at the end of the 4th week after operation. And myocardial apoptosis was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. Apoptosis index was calculated under an optical microscope. Myocardial apoptotic index in the edge of myocardial infarction was decreased in the HS group and the LS group, which in the HS group was lower than that in the untreated group (P<0.05). Radioactive defect regions were found by gated myocardial perfusion imaging in all the three groups, but those in the HS group and the LS group were less than those in the untreated group (P<0.05). And the levels of myocardial perfusion and LVEF in the HS group were significantly higher than those in the untreated group (P<0.05). Salvianolate administered by intravenous drip can inhibit the cardiomyocytes apoptosis and improve the function of heart after AMI in swine.