Methane attenuates myocardial ischemia injury in rats through anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory actions

Myocardial infarction (MI) remains the most frequent cardiovascular disease with high mortality. Recently, methane has been shown protective effects on small intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury. We hypothesized that methane-rich saline (MS) could protect the myocardium again MI via its anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects. In experiment 1, tetrazolium chloride staining and detection of myocardial enzymes and oxidative and inflammatory parameters were performed at 12 h after MI to determine the optimal dose at which intraperitoneal MS exerted the best protective effects on MI. In experiment 2, rats were treated with 10 ml/kg MS. Myocyte apoptosis was detected 72 h after MI, and cardiac function and myocardial remodeling were evaluated 4 weeks after MI. Results showed different dose of MS reduced infarct area, decreased myocardial enzymes, inhibited inflammation and oxidative stress following MI. The optimal dose of MS was 10 mg/kg. Moreover, treatment with 10 mg/kg MS for 3 days significantly reduced myocyte apoptosis, improved cardiac function and inhibited myocardial remodeling (reduced anterior wall thickness, attenuated myocyte hypertrophy, and decreased myocardial collagen). MS protects the myocardium of MI rats via its anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-remodeling activities. Thus, MS provides a novel and promising strategy for the treatment of ischemic heart diseases.