The protective effect of sufentainil on rat myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and caspase-3

Objective To investigate the effect of Sufentainil on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and caspase-3 to rat heart. Methods Ninety Wistar rats weighing 200-300g were randomly divided into 3 groups(n=30):sham group(group S), ischemia-reperfusion group (group I/R)and Sufentainil group (group SF). Each group was divided into 3 subgroups according to the time phases at 30, 60 and 120min(n=10).In group I/R and group S the animals were received normal saline intravenously. In group SF sufentainil 5μg/kg NS 20ml was given. After 24 h, all animals were anesthetized with intraperitioneal 20% urethane 1 mg/kg, intubated and mechanically ventilated. The chest was opened and heart exposed via thoracotomy.In group S , left artery anterior descending artery(LAD) was not ocluded. While in I/R and SF group myocardial ischemia was introduced by clamping LAD for40 min. The animals were killed at 30, 60 and 120 min of reperfusion respectively(n=10each). Cardiac tropoin I(cTnI), expression of caspase-3 and apoptosis of cell in heart tissues were measured at the same time.Ultrastructure of myocardium taking the from apex was examined by electron microscopy at the end of 120 min reperfusion. Results Compared with group S, the concentration of cTnI was increased in the other 2 groups(P<0.05).cTnI was significantly lower in group SF than in group I/R(P<0.05). Expression of caspase-3 and apoptosis index induced by myocardial reperfusion were attenuatated in group SF(P<0.05). The damage of myocardial ultrastructure caused by myocardial I/R were also significantly improved in group SF. Conclusion Sufentainil may relieve the heart cellular apoptosis by decreasing caspase-3expressing. Key words: Myocardial ischemia; Myocardial reperfusion injury; Ischemic preconditioning, myocardial Cardioprotection