The polysulfide diallyl trisulfide protects the ischemic myocardium by preservation of endogenous hydrogen sulfide and increasing nitric oxide bioavailability

Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2012 Jun 1;302(11):H2410-8. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00044.2012. Epub 2012 Mar 30.

Abstract

Diallyl trisulfide (DATS), a polysulfide constituent found in garlic oil, is capable of the release of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S). H(2)S is a known cardioprotective agent that protects the heart via antioxidant, antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and mitochondrial actions. Here, we investigated DATS as a stable donor of H(2)S during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury in vivo. We investigated endogenous H(2)S levels, infarct size, postischemic left ventricular function, mitochondrial respiration and coupling, endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) activation, and nuclear E2-related factor (Nrf2) translocation after DATS treatment. Mice were anesthetized and subjected to a surgical model of MI/R injury with and without DATS treatment (200 μg/kg). Both circulating and myocardial H(2)S levels were determined using chemiluminescent gas chromatography. Infarct size was measured after 45 min of ischemia and 24 h of reperfusion. Troponin I release was measured at 2, 4, and 24 h after reperfusion. Cardiac function was measured at baseline and 72 h after reperfusion by echocardiography. Cardiac mitochondria were isolated after MI/R, and mitochondrial respiration was investigated. NO metabolites, eNOS phosphorylation, and Nrf2 translocation were determined 30 min and 2 h after DATS administration. Myocardial H(2)S levels markedly decreased after I/R injury but were rescued by DATS treatment (P < 0.05). DATS administration significantly reduced infarct size per area at risk and per left ventricular area compared with control (P < 0.001) as well as circulating troponin I levels at 4 and 24 h (P < 0.05). Myocardial contractile function was significantly better in DATS-treated hearts compared with vehicle treatment (P < 0.05) 72 h after reperfusion. DATS reduced mitochondrial respiration in a concentration-dependent manner and significantly improved mitochondrial coupling after reperfusion (P < 0.01). DATS activated eNOS (P < 0.05) and increased NO metabolites (P < 0.05). DATS did not appear to significantly induce the Nrf2 pathway. Taken together, these data suggest that DATS is a donor of H(2)S that can be used as a cardioprotective agent to treat MI/R injury.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allyl Compounds / pharmacology
  • Allyl Compounds / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Hydrogen Sulfide / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mitochondria, Heart / drug effects
  • Mitochondria, Heart / physiology
  • Models, Animal
  • Myocardial Reperfusion Injury / metabolism*
  • Myocardial Reperfusion Injury / prevention & control*
  • Myocardium / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism*
  • Sulfides / pharmacology
  • Sulfides / therapeutic use*
  • Ventricular Function, Left / drug effects
  • Ventricular Function, Left / physiology

Substances

  • Allyl Compounds
  • Antioxidants
  • Sulfides
  • diallyl trisulfide
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Hydrogen Sulfide