Edaravone Reduces Myocardial Infarct Size and Improves Cardiac Function and Remodelling in Rabbits

Abstract

1. In the present study, we investigated the effect of 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (edaravone), a free radical scavenger, on myocardial infarct (MI) size and cardiac function in an in vivo model of MI in rabbits. We further investigated the contribution of hydroxyl radicals, superoxide and nitric oxide (NO) to its effects. 2. Anaesthetized open-chest Japanese white male rabbits were subjected to 30 min coronary occlusion and 48 h reperfusion. The control group (n = 10) was injected with saline 10 min before reperfusion. The edaravone group (n = 10) was injected with a bolus of 3 mg/kg edaravone 10 min before reperfusion. The edaravone + N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) group (n = 5) was given 10 mg/kg, i.v., L-NAME 10 min before the administration of 3 mg/kg edaravone. The L-NAME group (n = 5) was given 10 mg/kg, i.v., L-NAME 20 min before reperfusion. Infarct size was measured using the triphenyl tetrazolium chloride method and is expressed as a percentage of area at risk. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography 14 days after infarction. 3. In another series of experiments, rabbits were subjected to 30 min coronary occlusion and 30 min reperfusion and myocardial interstitial 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) and 2,5-DHBA levels, indicators of hydroxyl radical, were measured using a microdialysis technique. 4. Infarct size in the edaravone group was significantly reduced compared with that in the control group (27.4 +/- 6.8 vs 43.4 +/- 6.8%, respectively; P < 0.05). The edaravone-induced reduction of infarct size was abolished by pretreatment with L-NAME. Myocardial interstitial levels of 2,3-DHBA and 2,5-DHBA increased 20 and 30 min after ischaemia and peaked at 10 min reperfusion in the control group. Edaravone significantly inhibited the increase in 2,3-DHBA and 2,5-DHBA levels seen during reperfusion. Dihydroethidium staining showing in situ detection of superoxide was less intense in ischaemic myocardium in the edaravone-treated group compared with the control group. Edaravone improved cardiac function and left ventricular remodelling 14 days after infarction. 5. In conclusion, edaravone significantly reduces MI size and improves cardiac function and LV remodelling by decreasing hydroxyl radicals and superoxide in the myocardium and increasing the production of NO during reperfusion in rabbits.

The Efficacy of Edaravone (Radicut), a Free Radical Scavenger, for Cardiovascular Disease

“…Reperfusion after myocardial infarction (MI) greatly exacerbates ischemia-related myocardial injury via excessive accumulation of free radicals, which damage the myocardium [112,113]. Edaravone protects against myocardial injury following I/R in patients with AMI [25].…”

Beyond neurological disease: New targets for edaravone (Review)

“…Edaravone also protected cardiac function in rats and reduced infarct size by decreasing the production of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the myocardium exposed to I/R injury, and by reducing the release of adhesion molecules, such as P-selectin, from vascular endothelial cells (25). In rabbits, edaravone significantly reduced MI size and improved cardiac function and left ventricle (LV) remodeling by decreasing hydroxyl radicals and superoxide levels in the myocardium and increasing the production of nitric oxide (NO) during reperfusion (14). Edaravone was also reported to preserve coronary microvascular endothelial function, increase NO levels, and decrease reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in dogs with I/R injury (26).…”

“…Reperfusion after myocardial infarction (MI) greatly exacerbates ischemia-related myocardial injury (14) via excessive accumulation of free radicals, which damage the myocardium (15). Edaravone protects against myocardial injury following ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in patients with acute MI (AMI) (12).…”

Beyond free radical scavenging: Beneficial effects of edaravone (Radicut) in various diseases (Review)

“…Edaravone preserved coronary microvascular endothelial function, increased nitric oxide (NO) and decreased ROS in dogs with I/R injury (34). Edaravone significantly reduced MI size and improved cardiac function and LV remodeling by decreasing hydroxyl radicals and superoxide in the myocardium and increasing the production of NO during reperfusion in rabbits (35). Furthermore, in rats, edaravone prevented lethal reperfusion ventricular tachyarrhythmias and deteriorated cardiac function with ischemia and I/R injuries through inhibition of lipid peroxidation by scavenging free radicals (36).…”