Aldose reductase inhibitor Epalrestat alleviates high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis via ROS.

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the role of aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI) in the high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and its mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, H9c2 cardiomyocytes were employed as objects, high-glucose medium as stimulus, and ARI Epalrestat as a therapeutic drug. The cell apoptosis and activity changes of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), NO, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated via Hoechst staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and Western blotting. In addition, the mitochondrial membrane potential was measured via fluorescence counting.

RESULTS

Epalrestat inhibited the activity of AR to improve high glucose-induced oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes, weaken ROS activity, relieve the inhibition on NO activity, alleviate mitochondrial membrane potential damage, reduce the level of high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and suppress the expression and activity of Caspase-3, thereby preventing high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

ARI protects against high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.