[Antioxidant properties of apelin-12 and its structural analogue in experimental ischemia and reperfusion]

Effects of apelin-12 H-Arg-Pro-Arg-Leu-Ser-His-Lys-Gly-Pro-Met-Pro-Phe-OH (A12) and its modified analogue H-(NMe)Arg-Pro-Arg-Leu-Ser-His-Lys-Gly-Pro-Nle-Pro-Phe-OH (I) on activity of antioxidant enzymes, formation of malonic dialdehyde (MDA) and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were studied in ex vivo and in vivo models of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury in Wistar rats. Preischemic infusion of peptide A12 or AI enhanced cardiac function recovery of isolated perfused heart and was accompanied by a marked attenuation of ROS generation detected by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique in myocardial effluent at early reperfusion compared with control. Intravenous administration (i.v.) of peptides in narcotized rats with regional myocardial ischemia limited infarct size and reduced activity of lactate dehydrogenase and MB-fraction of creatine kinase in plasma at the end of reperfusion. Treatment with peptide A12 prevented reduction or augmented activity of myocardial u/Zn superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase by the end of reperfusion in both I/R models compared with control. Increased MDA content in the area at risk of rat heart in situ at the end of reperfusion was reduced to the initial value under the effect of i.v. A12 administration. Therefore, cardioprotective action of natural apelin-12 and its structural analog AI involve reduction of short-lived ROS generation and improvement of the antioxidant state of ischemic heart during reperfusion.