Pioglitazone protects against endothelin-1-induced cardiac myocyte injury through antioxidant potential

AIM:To investigate the protective effect of pioglitazone (PIO) against endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced cardiac myocyte injury and its mechanism. METHODS: Cultured primary cardiac myocytes from neonatal rats were randomly divided into DMEM group (control group), ET-1 group, ET-1+PIO (1×10-9 mol/L) group, ET-1+PIO (1×10-8 mol/L) group and ET-1+PIO (1×10-7 mol/L) group. Using biochemical techniques, supernatants were obtained and tested after 24 h in order to detect levels of LDH, SOD and MDA. RESULTS: At 24 h, LDH level in the ET-1 group was higher than in the control group (P<0.01) and those in the ET-1+PIO groups, especially those in the ET-1+PIO (1×10-8 mol/L) group and ET-1+PIO (1×10-7 mol/L) group (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). SOD activity in the ET-1 group was lower than in the control group (P<0.01). SOD activities in the ET-1+PIO groups were higher than in the ET-1 group. SOD activities in ET-1+PIO (1×10-8 mol/L) group and ET-1+PIO (1×10-7 mol/L) group were significantly higher than in the ET-1 group (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). MDA concentration in the ET-1 group was higher than in the control group (P<0.01). MDA concentrations in the PIO+ET-1 groups were lower than in the ET-1 group. MDA concentrations in the ET-1+PIO (1×10-8 mol/L) group and ET-1+PIO (1×10-7 mol/L) group were significantly lower than in the ET-1 group (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: The protective effect of PIO against ET-1-induced cardiac myocyte injury may be related to antioxidant potential.