Low-Dose Colchicine Prevents Sympathetic Denervation After Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion: A New Potential Protective Mechanism

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of colchicine on sympathetic denervation after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Materials & methods: Ischemia/Reperfusion was induced in C57BL/6J male mice. Left coronary artery was ligated during 45 min followed by reperfusion. 400 mu g/kg of colchicine or the placebo was administrated intraperitoneally 15 min before the reperfusion. Results: Colchicine treatment significantly improved heart rate variability index after AMI. Colchicine prevented sympathetic denervation in the remote area (p = 0.04) but not in the scar area (p = 0.70). Conclusion: These results suggest promising protective pathway of colchicine after AMI.Lay abstractThis is a preclinical study of acute myocardial infarction in mice treated with colchicine or saline injection. ECG monitoring, immunofluorescence histology and NGF serum level measurement were performed. Here, it is demonstrated that colchicine improves heart rate variability, reduces cardiac denervation. The randomized COLD-MI trial will soon start and include patients. Cardiac denervation will be assessed using nuclear imaging with meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG).