Protective effect of maltol on pathological response of cardiomyocyte in dystrophic mice
Ahyoung Lee1, Hayeong Kwon2, Seulmin Kim1
1Research Institute of Korean Medicine, School of Korean Medicine, Yangsan 50612, Korea.
Insights
Maltol, a natural compound, shows promise in protecting the heart from stress and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) related damage. It reduces inflammation and improves cardiac function, offering potential therapeutic benefits for heart conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Heart diseases are a leading cause of death globally, with limited treatment options.
- Maltol, a natural compound, possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) often involves cardiac complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cardioprotective effects of maltol in models of cardiac stress and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
- To assess maltol's safety profile and compare it with dapagliflozin.
- To investigate maltol's impact on cellular pathways involved in cardiac health.
Main Methods:
- Isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac stress models in rodents.
- Mdx mice model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
- In vitro assessment of maltol's cytotoxicity in H9c2 and AC16 cells.
Main Results:
- Maltol reduced hypertrophic markers and inflammation in ISO-stressed hearts.
- Enhanced autophagy and antioxidant pathways were observed with maltol treatment.
- Maltol improved cardiac contractility and reduced remodeling in mdx mice, enhancing Ca2+ handling.
Conclusions:
- Maltol demonstrates significant cardioprotective effects against ISO-induced stress and in a DMD model.
- Its antioxidant properties, low cytotoxicity, and ability to improve cardiac function and Ca2+ handling suggest therapeutic potential.
- Maltol may benefit conditions like DMD and other cardiac diseases involving hypertrophy and inflammation.
Abstract:
Heart diseases are a significant contributor to global morbidity and mortality, and despite their diverse and complex mechanisms, treatment options remain limited. Maltol, a natural compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, exhibits potential for addressing this need. This study evaluates the cardioprotective effects of maltol in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac stress models and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Maltol's cardiac cytotoxicity was assessed in rodent (H9c2) and human (AC16) cells and compared with that of dapagliflozin to illustrate its cardiac safety. In ISO-induced stress models, maltol significantly reduced hypertrophic markers and inflammation while enhancing autophagy and antioxidant pathways. In the mdx mice, a DMD model, maltol treatment improved cardiac contractility and reduced pathogenic remodeling. Enhanced phosphorylation of phospholamban and trends toward higher SERCA2a expression indicated enhanced Ca2+ handling, which is crucial in DMD cardiomyopathy. This study demonstrated that maltol has the potential to provide therapeutic benefits for DMD and other cardiac conditions characterized by hypertrophy and inflammation, as evidenced by its well-known antioxidant properties, low cytotoxicity, and capacity to enhance cardiac function and Ca2+ handling.
