Abstract 408: Thioredoxin-1 Gene Delivery Induces Hemeoxygenase-1 Mediated Myocardial Preservation after Chronic Infarction in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Hypertension the major risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases is a result of multiple causes along with excessive generation of reactive oxygen species resulting in imbalance of redox status. Thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1) is a redox regulatory multifunctional protein with anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and antioxidant effects. In the present study we investigated the therapeutic potential of Adeno-Trx-1 in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The rats were assigned to four different groups (n = 24) such as (1) normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) (2) SHR (3) SHR +Adeno-Lac-Z (SHRLac-Z) and (4) SHR +Adeno-Trx-1 (SHRTrx-1). Echo-guided gene delivery to the anterior wall of left ventricle was performed using 1x109 pfu of adenovirus constructed with Trx-1 and Lac-Z. Two days after injection of adeno virus, the hearts were subjected to permanent left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion (MI). Left ventricular functions by Echocardiography were examined after 30 days of MI as the significant changes in left ventricle were observed after 4 weeks of MI. Decreased left ventricular inner diameter (7 vs 9 mm) and increased ejection fraction (52 vs 42 %), fractional shortening (28 vs 22 %) was observed in SHRTrx-1 compared to SHR. Infarct size, cardiomyocyte apoptosis and protein expression profiles (by Confocal and Western blot analysis) were observed at predetermined time points i.e after 24 and 48 hours of MI respectively. Decreased infarct size (52% vs 67%), cardiomyocyte apoptosis by TUNEL assay (161 vs 240) and increased expression of Trx-1 and HO-1 were observed in SHRTrx-1 compared to SHR. Confocal results were also confirmed by Western blot analysis. Results documented increased expression of Trx-1 (1.8 fold) and HO-1 (1.4 fold) in SHRTrx-1 as compared to SHR. In addition, we have also observed increased expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 (1.7 fold) in SHRTrx-1 treated group compared SHR. Thus our results demonstrate for the first time that the cardioprotective effect of Adeno-Trx-1 therapy in SHR is Trx-1/HO-1/Bcl-2 mediated and may represent a novel mechanism for therapy against hypertension induced post infarction heart failure.