Genipin protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion through SIRT3/SOD2

  AIM  To examine the effect of genipin on cardiac function after myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury in mice and its underlying mechanism.

  METHODS  MI/R injury model was established by ligation/relaxation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in C57BL/6 mice. Cardiac function was detected by Miller catheter and echocardiography. Cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining. SIRT3, SOD2 and apoptosis-related molecules were detected by Western blot.

  RESULTS  Compared with Sham group, administration of genipin significantly improved the cardiac function of MI/R mice and reduced the cardiac apoptosis and the expressions of apoptosis-related molecules. Further results showed that genipin increased the expression of SIRT3 and decreased the ratio of Ac-SOD2/SOD2. Administration of 3-TYP, an inhibitor of SIRT3, blocked the effect of genipin on improving the cardiac function of MI/R mice, reducing the cardiac apoptosis and reducing the expressions of apoptosis-related molecules.

  CONCLUSION  Genipin improves the cardiac function of MI/R mice and reduces the apoptosis and the expression of apoptosis-related molecules through, at least partially, upregulation of SIRT3 and downregulation of SOD2 acetylation.