DrugLib.com — Drug Information Portal

Rx drug information, pharmaceutical research, clinical trials, news, and more



Exenatide reduces infarct size and improves cardiac function in a porcine model of ischemia and reperfusion injury.

Author(s): Timmers L, Henriques JP, de Kleijn DP, Devries JH, Kemperman H, Steendijk P, Verlaan CW, Kerver M, Piek JJ, Doevendans PA, Pasterkamp G, Hoefer IE

Affiliation(s): Department of Cardiology, University of Medical Center Utrecht, UMC Utrecht, The Netherlands. l.timmers@umcutrecht.nl

Publication date & source: 2009-02-10, J Am Coll Cardiol., 53(6):501-10.

Publication type: Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to examine whether exenatide is capable of reducing myocardial infarct size. BACKGROUND: Exenatide is a glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 analogue with insulinotropic and insulinomimetic properties. Because insulin and GLP-1 have been described as reducing apoptosis, exenatide might confer cardioprotection after acute myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: Pigs were randomized to exenatide or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) treatment after 75 min of coronary artery ligation and subsequent reperfusion. Infarct size was assessed with Evans Blue (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Missouri) and triphenyltetrazolium chloride. Cardiac function was measured with epicardial ultrasound and conductance catheter-based pressure-volume loops. Western blotting, histology, and activity assays were performed to determine markers of apoptosis/survival and oxidative stress. RESULTS: Exenatide reduced myocardial infarct size (32.7 +/- 6.4% vs. 53.6 +/- 3.9%; p = 0.031) and prevented deterioration of systolic and diastolic cardiac function (systolic wall thickening: 47.3 +/- 6.3% vs. 8.1 +/- 1.9%, p < 0.001; myocardial stiffness: 0.12 +/- 0.06 mm Hg/ml vs. 0.22 +/- 0.07 mm Hg/ml; p = 0.004). After exenatide treatment, myocardial phosphorylated Akt and Bcl-2 expression levels were higher compared with those after PBS treatment, and active caspase 3 expression was lower. In addition, fewer cells were terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling-positive. In addition, nuclear oxidative stress as assessed with an 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine staining was reduced in the exenatide treatment arm, and superoxide dismutase activity and catalase activity were increased. Serum insulin levels increased after exenatide treatment, without affecting glucose levels. CONCLUSIONS: These data identify exenatide as a potentially effective compound to reduce infarct size in adjunction to reperfusion therapy in patients with acute MI.

Page last updated: 2009-02-08

-- advertisement -- The American Red Cross
 
Home | About Us | Contact Us | Site usage policy | Privacy policy

All Rights reserved - Copyright DrugLib.com, 2006-2017