Myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury is alleviated by curcumin-peptide hydrogel via upregulating autophagy and protecting mitochondrial function.

Background Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is an important factor limiting the success of cardiac reperfusion therapy. Curcumin has a significant cardioprotective effect against IRI, can inhibit ventricular remodeling induced by pressure load or MI, and improve cardiac function. However, the poor water solubility and low bioavailability of curcumin restrict its clinical application. Methods In this study, we prepared and evaluated a curcumin-hydrogel (cur-hydrogel) to reduce cardiomyocyte apoptosis and reactive oxygen species formation induced by hypoxia-reoxygenation injury, promote autophagy, and reduce mitochondrial damage by maintaining the phosphorylation of Cx43. Results Meanwhile, cur-hydrogel can restore cardiac function, inhibit myocardial collagen deposition and apoptosis, and activate JAK2/STAT3 pathway to alleviate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Conclusions The purpose of this study is to elucidate the protective effects of cur-hydrogel on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating apoptosis, autophagy, and mitochondrial injury in vitro and in vivo, which lays a new theoretical and experimental foundation for the prevention and reduction of IRI.