Reduction of cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury by curcumin in high-fat diet-fed rats

 Curcumin has potential anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of curcumin against cardiac ischemia -reperfusion injury in rats fed a high-fat diet.

 In this experimental study, male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (C), high-fat diet (H), curcumin 100 (HyperC100, 100 mg/kg) and curcumin 200 (HyperC200), with the last two groups receiving oral curcumin daily for 3 weeks.
The rats were fed a high-fat diet for 7 weeks to induce obesity. After anesthesia, hearts were removed and placed on the Langendorff perfusion system andbegan beating. After 20 minutes of stabilization, 35 minutes of ischemia and 60 minutes of nutrient fluid reflux were performed. During this interval, ventricular (LV) functional indices including LVSP, LVDP, LVEDP and +dp/dt were recorded. The relative size of the infarction was measured by using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining.

 Hyperlipidemia caused dysfunction with changes in ventricular parameters, but curcumin could to improve some LV contractile parameters such as systolic pressure and increase diastolic pressure (P≤0.05). Curcumin could not significantly reduce the infarct size.

 Curcumin may have an cardio protection effects against ischemia/reperfusion injury in normal and hyperlipidemic rats.