Sesamin Protects Against Cardiac Remodeling Via Sirt3/ROS Pathway

Background/aims: Cardiac remodeling is associated with oxidative stress. Sesamin, a well-known antioxidant from sesamin seeds, have been used extensively as traditional health foods. However, there is little known about the effect of sesamin on cardiac remodeling. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine whether sesamin could protect against cardiac remodeling and to clarify potential molecular mechanisms.

Methods: The mice were subjected to either transverse aortic constriction (TAC) or sham surgery (control group). Beginning one week after surgery, the mice were oral gavage treated with sesamin (100mg·kg-1·day-1) or vehicle for 3 weeks. Cardiac hypertrophy was assessed by echocardiographic parameters, histological analyses and hypertrophic markers.

Results: Sesamin alleviated cardiac hypertrophy, inhibited fibrosis and attenuated the inflammatory response. The increased production of Reactive Oxygen Species, the activation of ERK1/2-dependent nuclear factor-κB and the increased level of SMAD2 phosphorylation were observed in cardiac remolding model that were treated with sesamin. Furthermore, TAC induced alteration of SIRT3 and SOD2 was normalized by sesamin treatment. Finally, a selective SIRT3 Inhibitor 3-TYP blocks all the protective role of sesamin, suggesting that a Sirt3-dependent effect of sesamin on cardiac remodeling.

Conclusion: Sesamin improves cardiac function and prevents the development of cardiac hypertrophy via SIRT3/ROS pathway. Our results suggest the protective effect of sesamin on cardiac remolding.