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Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) shows therapeutic potential as an endogenous target in cardiovascular diseases. Although it is involved in cardiovascular metabolism and mitochondrial biology, its mechanisms of action are unclear. We investigated how BH4 regulates cardiovascular metabolism using an unbiased multiple proteomics approach with a sepiapterin reductase knock-out (Spr -/- ) mouse as a model of BH4 deficiency. Spr -/- mice exhibited a shortened life span, cardiac contractile dysfunction, and morphological changes. Multiple proteomics and systems-based data-integrative analyses showed that BH4 deficiency altered cardiac mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Along with decreased transcription of major mitochondrial biogenesis regulatory genes, including Ppargc1a, Ppara, Esrra, and Tfam, Spr -/- mice exhibited lower mitochondrial mass and severe oxidative phosphorylation defects. Exogenous BH4 supplementation, but not nitric oxide supplementation or inhibition, rescued these cardiac and mitochondrial defects. BH4 supplementation also recovered mRNA and protein levels of PGC1α and its target proteins involved in mitochondrial biogenesis (mtTFA and ERRα), antioxidation (Prx3 and SOD2), and fatty acid utilization (CD36 and CPTI-M) in Spr -/- hearts. These results indicate that BH4-activated transcription of PGC1α regulates cardiac energy metabolism independently of nitric oxide and suggests that BH4 has therapeutic potential for cardiovascular diseases involving mitochondrial dysfunction., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Unlike stable and immobile cell line conditions, animal hearts contract and relax to pump blood throughout the body. Mitochondria play an essential role by producing biological energy molecules to maintain heart function. In this study, we assessed the effect of heart mimetic cyclic stretch on mitochondria in a cardiac cell line. To mimic the geometric and biomechanical conditions surrounding cells in vivo, cyclic stretching was performed on HL-1 murine cardiomyocytes seeded onto an elastic micropatterned substrate (10% elongation, 0.5 Hz, 4 h/day). Cell viability, semi-quantitative Q-PCR, and western blot analyses were performed in non-stimulated control and cyclic stretch stimulated HL-1 cell lines. Cyclic stretch significantly increased the expression of mitochondria biogenesis-related genes (TUFM, TFAM, ERRα, and PGC1-α) and mitochondria oxidative phosphorylation-related genes (PHB1 and CYTB). Western blot analysis confirmed that cyclic stretch increased protein levels of mitochondria biogenesis-related proteins (TFAM, and ERRα) and oxidative phosphorylation-related proteins (NDUFS1, UQCRC, and PHB1). Consequently, cyclic stretch increased mitochondrial mass and ATP production in treated cells. Our results suggest that cyclic stretch transcriptionally enhanced mitochondria biogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation without detrimental effects in a cultured cardiac cell line., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Mitochondria, are the powerhouses of cells, have their own DNA (mtDNA), regulate the transport of metabolites and ions, and impact cell physiology, survival, and death. Mitochondrial dysfunction, including impaired oxidative phosphorylation, preferentially affects heart function due to an imbalance of energy supply and demand. Recently, mitochondrial mutations and associated mitochondrial dysfunction were suggested as a causal factor of cardiac manifestations. Oxidative stress largely influences mtDNA stability due to oxidative modifications of mtDNA. Furthermore, the continuous replicative state of mtDNA and presence of minimal nucleoid structure render mitochondria vulnerable to oxidative damage and subsequent mutations, which impair mitochondrial functions. However, the occurrence of mtDNA heteroplasmy in the same mitochondrion or cell and presence of nuclear DNA-encoded mtDNA repair systems raise questions regarding whether oxidative stress-mediated mtDNA mutations are the major driving force in accumulation of mtDNA mutations. Here, we address the possible causes of mitochondrial DNA mutations and their involvement in cardiac manifestations. Current strategies for treatment related to mitochondrial mutations and/or dysfunction in cardiac manifestations are briefly discussed.

Mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells, have their own DNA (mtDNA). They regulate the transport of metabolites and ions, which determine cell physiology, survival, and death. Mitochondrial dysfunction, including impaired oxidative phosphorylation, preferentially affects heart function via imbalance of energy supply and demand. Recently, mitochondrial mutations and associated mitochondrial dysfunction were suggested as a causal factor of cardiac manifestations. Oxidative stress largely influences mtDNA stability due to oxidative modifications of mtDNA. Furthermore, the continuous replicative state of mtDNA and presence of minimal nucleoid structure render mitochondria vulnerable to oxidative damage and subsequent mutations, which impair mitochondrial functions. However, the occurrence of mtDNA heteroplasmy in the same mitochondrion or cell and presence of nuclear DNA-encoded mtDNA repair systems raise questions regarding whether oxidative stress-mediated mtDNA mutations are the major driving force in accumulation of mtDNA mutations. Here, we address the possible causes of mitochondrial DNA mutations and their involvement in cardiac manifestations. Current strategies for treatment related to mitochondrial mutations and/or dysfunction in cardiac manifestations are briefly discussed.

The heart works without resting, requiring enormous amounts of energy to continuously pump blood throughout the body. Because of its considerable energy requirements, the heart is vulnerable to oxidative stress caused by the generation of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, the heart has effective regulatory and adaptive mechanisms to protect against oxidative stress. Inherited or acquired mitochondrial respiratory chain dysfunction disrupts energy metabolism and causes excessive ROS production and oxidative stress. The physiological cardiac response to oxidative stress can strengthen the heart, but pathological cardiac responses or altered regulatory mechanisms can cause heart disease. Therefore, mitochondria-targeted antioxidants have been tested and some are used clinically. In this review, we briefly discuss the role of mitochondrial DNA mutations, mitochondrial dysfunction, and ROS generation in the development of heart disease and recent developments in mitochondria-targeted antioxidants for the treatment of heart disease.

Echinochrome A (Ech A) is a naphthoquinoid pigment from sea urchins that possesses antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and chelating abilities. Although Ech A is the active substance in the ophthalmic and cardiac drug Histochrome®, its underlying cardioprotective mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the protective role of Ech A against toxic agents that induce death of rat cardiac myoblast H9c2 cells and isolated rat cardiomyocytes. We found that the cardiotoxic agents tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP, organic reactive oxygen species (ROS) inducer), sodium nitroprusside (SNP; anti-hypertension drug), and doxorubicin (anti-cancer drug) caused mitochondrial dysfunction such as increased ROS level and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. Co-treatment with Ech A, however, prevented this decrease in membrane potential and increase in ROS level. Co-treatment of Ech A also reduced the effects of these cardiotoxic agents on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and adenosine triphosphate level. These findings indicate the therapeutic potential of Ech A for reducing cardiotoxic agent-induced damage.

Aims: Preservation of mitochondrial function is essential to limit myocardial damage in ischaemic heart disease. We examined the protective effects and mechanism of a new compound, NecroX-5, on rat heart mitochondria in a hypoxia/reoxygenation (HR) model., Methods and Results: NecroX-5 reduced mitochondrial oxidative stress, prevented the collapse in mitochondrial membrane potential, improved mitochondrial oxygen consumption, and suppressed mitochondrial Ca(2+) overload during reoxygenation in an in vitro rat heart HR model. Furthermore, NecroX-5 reduced the ouabain- or histamine-induced increase in mitochondrial Ca(2+)., Conclusion: These findings suggest that NecroX-5 may act as a mitochondrial Ca(2+) uniporter inhibitor to protect cardiac mitochondria against HR damage.