Cardioprotective Properties of Blackcurrant Anthocyanin Extract Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect and the underline mechanisms of blackcurrant anthocyanin extract (BAE) against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Wistar rats were assigned to five groups: control group, model group, BAE low, middle, high dose groups. The hearts were isolated and perfused with K-H solution by Langendorff apparatus. Myocardial I/R injury was induced by 30 minutes global ischemia and followed by 40 minutes reperfusion. The content of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the effluent from coronary was measured to evaluate the injury of myocardial cells. Meanwhile the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in myocardial tissue were determined after the treatment. Histopathological changes in the myocardium were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that BAE treatment can reduce MDA and LDH contents, increase the activity of SOD and protect hearts from I/R injury. Among the BAE groups, the middle dose group is more conducive to the protection of myocardial I/R injury. However all the results indicate that BAE can protect myocardium and the mechanism may be related to attenuating oxygen free radicals and reducing lipid peroxidation.