Ethyl Pyruvate Has Anti-Inflammatory and Delayed Myocardial Protective Effects after Regional Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Abstract

Purpose: Ethyl pyruvate has anti-inflammatory properties and protects organs from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced tissue injury. The aim of this study was to determine whether ethyl pyruvate decreases the inflammatory response after regional UR injury and whether ethyl pyruvate protects against delayed regional UR injury in an in vivo rat heart model after a 24 hours reperfusion. Materials and Methods: Rats were randomized to receive lactated Ringer's solution or ethyl pyruvate dissolved in Ringer's solution, which was given by intraperitoneal injection 1 hour prior to ischemia. Rats were subjected to 30 min of ischemia followed by reperfusion of the left coronary artery territory. After a 2 hours reperfusion, nuclear factor kappa B, myocardial myeloperoxidase activity, and inflammatory cytokine levels were determined. After the 24 hours reperfusion, the hemodynamic function and myocardial infarct size were evaluated. Results: At 2 hours after UR injury, ethyl pyruvate attenuated I/R-induced nuclear factor kappa B translocation and reduced myeloperoxidase activity in myocardium. The plasma circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines decreased significantly in the ethyl pyruvate-treated group. At 24 hours after I/R injury, ethyl pyruvate significantly improved cardiac function and reduced infarct size after regional I/R injury. Conclusion: Ethyl pyruvate has the ability to inhibit neutrophil activation, inflammatory cytokine release, and nuclear factor kappa B translocation. Ethyl pyruvate is associated with a delayed myocardial protective effect after regional I/R injury in an in vivo rat heart model.