Effect of ACE inhibitor on calpain system in infarcted myocardium in rats / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM: To investigate the contribution of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) to the regulation of calpain system in infarcted myocardium. METHODS: Rat myocardial infarction (MI) model was established by permanent ligation of the left coronary artery. The treatment with the ACEI inhibitor rampril (1 mg?kg~-1 ?d~-1 ) was started 7 days prior to surgery. On day 1, 3, 7 and 14 after MI, protein levels of calpainⅠ, Ⅱ and calpastatin were determined in left ventricular free wall (LVFW), interventricular septum (IS) and right ventricule. RESULTS: CalpainⅠprotein level was increased in IS 14 d post MI, whereas the protein level of calpainⅡ was maximally increased in LVFW 3 d post MI. Rampril decreased protein up-regulation of calpainⅠ and Ⅱ, and reduced infarct size and interstitial fibrosis. Calpastatin protein expression was not affected by ACEI. CONCLUSIONS: CalpainⅠ is involved in cardiac remodelling in the late and calpainⅡ contributes to cardiac tissue damage in the early phase of MI. The heart protective effect of ACEI may be related to the inhibition of calpain system in the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction.