The Impact of Succinate Derivative Phensuccinal on Mitochondrial Function and Redox Status in the Heart of Rats With Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Dysfunction of cardiac mitochondria appears to play a substantial role in cardiomyopathy and is a promising therapeutic target for many cardiovascular diseases. Persistent hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidemia are believed to be the main causes of increased oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunctions, fibrosis and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in diabetes. We have previously shown that the low-toxic succinate derivative – Phensuccinal (beta-phenylethylamide-2 hydroxy-succinanylic acid, Phe) possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Phe on the mitochondrial function and oxidative status in the heart of rats with T2DM. Materials and Methods. T2DM was induced in Wistar rats by a high-caloric diet during 14 weeks combined with intraperitoneal injections of 25 mg/kg streptozotocin twice per week. All diabetic animals were divided into two groups: treated with vehicle or with Phe (in dose 50 mg/kg/day) for four weeks after diabetes induction. Redox status of rats’ heart mitochondria was estimated by determination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, GSH level and activity of antioxidant enzymes (Mn-superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase). Mitochondrial function was determined by activity of aconitase, succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome C oxidase in rats’ cardiomyocytes. Results. It was established that Phe inhibited oxidative stress in isolated heart mitochondria of rats with T2DM, which was confirmed by decreasing ROS production and increasing GSH level compared to diabetic rats. The use of Phe led to a normalization of antioxidant enzymes (Mn-superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) activity in the heart of diabetic rats. In addition, Phe improved metabolic activity of the heart mitochondria activating aconitase and succinate dehydrogenase in cardiomyocytes. We can suggest that Phe ameliorate mitochondrial dysfunction decreasing oxidative stress and preventing deficiency in complex II of ETC in the heart of rats with type 2 diabetes. Conclusion. The data of the present study confirmed the positive effect of Phe on redox homeostasis and functional state of the heart mitochondria in diabetic rats. We suggest that the use of Phe may contribute to the amelioration of cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes