In vivo effects of nitrosyl hydrogen on cardiac function and sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump (SERCA2a) in rats with heart failure after myocardial infarction

Background: Abnormal Ca2+ circulation in cardiomyocytes is an important cause of decreased myocardial contractility in failing hearts. Nitroxyl hydrogen (FINO) can oxidize Ca2+ cycle-related proteins, alter their biological functions, promote Ca2+ recovery as well as release, and enhance myocardial contractility. In this study, we aim to observe the effect of nitrosyl hydrogen (HNO) on the cardiac function of rats with heart failure and elucidate the underlying mechanism. Methods: Twenty six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into heart failure group (HF group), Angeli's salt treatment group (HF + AS group) and sham operation group (Sham group). The HF + AS group rats were treated with HNO donor Angeli's salt by intraperitoneal injection of 1 mg/kg/d, and the rats in the HF group and the Sham group were given the same amount of normal saline. Cardiac function was measured by echocardiography before and after treatment. NT-proBNP was measured by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) kit after treatment. Western blot were used to measure the expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) in protein levels in rats. The activities of SERCA2a were detected by the biochemical kit finally. Results: We found that Nitrosyl hydrogen could significantly increase LVEF, +dp/dt, -dp/dt (P<0.05), significantly decrease NT-ProBNP and LVEDP (P<0.01), and significantly enhance the activities of SERCA2a protein (P<0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that Nitrosyl hydrogen could improve the cardiac function possibly by increasing protein activities of SERCA2a in rats.