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Protein Kinase C Blockers Do Not Reverse the Cardioprotective Effect of Probiotic Strains in Rats with a Systemic
Yu Yu Borshchev1,2, S M Minasyan1,3, I Yu Burovenko4
1Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia.
Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine
|July 30, 2026
Summary
Probiotics protect hearts from inflammation-induced damage in rats, independent of the protein kinase C (PKC) pathway. This suggests alternative mechanisms mediate probiotic cardioprotection against ischemic/reperfusion injury.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Microbiology
- Inflammation Studies
Background:
- Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) can lead to cardiac dysfunction.
- Probiotics, including Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA-5) and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (BB-12), are explored for potential health benefits.
- Protein kinase C (PKC) is a signaling pathway implicated in cellular responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the cardioprotective effects of probiotics.
- To determine if PKC mediates the protective response of probiotics against ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat model of SIRS.
Main Methods:
- Male Wistar rats were subjected to a SIRS model involving obesity and colitis.
- Probiotics (LA-5 and BB-12) were administered orally.
- The PKC inhibitor chelerythrine was administered before isolated heart perfusion.
- Global ischemia and reperfusion were simulated, and necrosis zone size was measured.
Main Results:
- SIRS significantly increased leukocyte count and myocardial necrosis.
- Probiotic administration reduced the necrosis zone size in SIRS rats.
- Inhibition of PKC with chelerythrine did not abolish the cardioprotective effect of probiotics.
Conclusions:
- Probiotic-induced cardioprotection in the SIRS model is not mediated by the PKC signaling pathway.
- Alternative mechanisms likely contribute to the observed protection against ischemic/reperfusion damage.
- These findings highlight novel pathways for probiotic therapeutic potential in cardiovascular health.
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