Ablation of Akt2 prevents paraquat-induced myocardial mitochondrial injury and contractile dysfunction: Role of Nrf2.

Paraquat is a quaternary nitrogen herbicide triggering oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage and multi-organ injuries including hearts. To date, effective measure to combat paraquat toxicity is still lacking. Recent evidence has revealed a role for Akt in cardiac homeostasis. To this end, this study was designed to examine the role of Akt2 in acute paraquat exposure-induced cardiac contractile and mitochondrial injury using a unique murine model of Akt2 knockout. Cardiac contractile and intracellular Ca properties were evaluated. Mitochondrial integrity, ROS production, lipid peroxidation, ER stress and apoptosis were evaluated using aconitase assay, citrate synthase activity, DHE staining, mitochondrial permeation pore opening, 4-hydroxy-nonenal (4-HNE) and Western blot. Our results revealed compromised echocardiographic, contractile and intracellular Ca handling properties along with overt mitochondrial damage (reduced levels of PGC-1α, aconitase, citrate synthase activity and NAD) in mice challenged with paraquat (45mg/kg, single injection, i.p.), the effects of which were attenuated by Akt ablation. Paraquat triggered O production, lipid peroxidation and apoptosis as evidenced by increased DHE staining, 4-HNE, caspase-3 activity, Bax and reduced Bcl-2 levels in association with unchanged ER stress. The redox signaling molecule nuclear factor erythroid related factor 2 (Nrf2) was upregulated in response to paraquat challenge. Findings from in vitro study revealed that stimulation of Nrf2 using sulforaphane (10μM) negated Akt2 ablation-offered beneficial effect against paraquat whereas inhibition of Nrf2 using luteolin (20μM) mimicked Akt2 ablation-induced beneficial effect against paraquat challenge. Taken together, our data indicate that Akt2 ablation may protect against paraquat toxicity-induced cardiac contractile defect and apoptosis possibly via regulation of Nrf2 activation and mitochondrial homeostasis.