Levosimendan Ameliorates Hypoxia-Induced Brain Injury in Rats by Modulating PTEN/Akt Signaling Pathway-Mediated Ferroptosis.

BACKGROUND

Levosimendan (Levo) is a drug commonly used to treat heart failure. Recent studies have suggested that Levo may have neuroprotective effects, but it is still unknown how exactly it contributes to hypoxia-induced brain damage. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate how Levo affects hypoxia-induced brain damage and to clarify any possible underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

One group of rats (Levo group) was pretreated with Levo via oral force-feeding for four weeks. Another group (Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) group) was pretreated with intraperitoneal injections of Fer-1 for four weeks. A rat model of chronic hypoxia was created by treating rats with 13% O for 14 days in a closed hypoxia chamber. For each group (Control, Model, Levo, Fer-1), we evaluated learning and memory capacity and the morphology and structure of neurons in the rats' brain tissue. Other measurements included tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6); malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px); Fe; apoptosis; cleaved caspase-3, caspase-3; phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), protein kinase B (Akt), phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt); and ferroptosis-related proteins Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11).

RESULTS

The Model group rats had considerably fewer neurons than the Control group, with loosely arranged cells, and markedly impaired learning and memory abilities ( < 0.05). Oxidative damage and inflammation in brain tissues of the Model group were significantly intensified, accompanied by a substantial increase in neuronal apoptosis ( < 0.05). PTEN protein, Fe concentration, and cleaved caspase-3 expression were all significantly upregulated, whereas p-Akt, Nrf2, GPX4, and SLC7A11 proteins were dramatically downregulated ( < 0.05). Both the Levo and Fer-1 groups demonstrated significantly more neurons and closely arranged cells than the Model group, along with a notable improvement in learning and memory abilities ( < 0.05). Oxidative damage and inflammation in brain tissues of the Levo and Fer-1 groups were markedly alleviated, and neuronal apoptosis was suppressed ( < 0.05). p-Akt, Nrf2, GPX4, and SLC7A11 proteins were dramatically upregulated, whereas the expression of cleaved caspase-3, PTEN protein, and Fe content was considerably downregulated ( < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Levo effectively mitigates brain injury in rats with chronic hypoxia, likely by regulating ferroptosis via the PTEN/Akt signaling pathway.