The Effects of Hesperidin on Ischemia/Reperfusion Induced Arrhythmias and Infarct Size in Isolated Rat Heart

Background: Hesperidin is a flavonoid and has strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of hesperidin on ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) induced injuries and arrhythmias. Methods: Male Wistar rats were anesthetized and then the hearts were removed and cannulated immediately to a langendorff apparatus and prepared for the left coronary artery ligation. The hearts were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit Buffer Solution (KHBS; control) or KHBS plus hesperidin (1, 2.5 & 5µg/ml; treated groups) 5 minutes before coronary occlusion, during the ischemia, and reperfusion period. After reperfusion, double staining strategy (Evans blue and TTC) were used. The percentage of infarct size was determined by Image-j software. Arrhythmia in control group and treated groups were analyzed and compared. Lactate concentration was measured in samples at the end of stabilization, 30 minute after ischemia, and 60 minute after reperfusion. Western blotting was performed for evaluation of pAMPK at the end of the ischemia in the heart tissues. Results: The results demonstrated that hesperidin caused a significant reduction in ventricular ectopic beats (VEBs) number during ischemia and reperfusion phase (p<0.01, p<0.05). The infarct size was reduced significantly by all concentration of hesperidin (p<0.001) and Lactate concentration at the end of ischemia had a significant reduction in the treatment groups (p<0.001). pAMPK/AMPK ratio was reduced by hesperidin at 5 µg/ml. Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that hesperidin has protective effects against I/R induced injuries and arrhythmias in isolated rat hearts that could be related to its effect on modulating of AMPK activity.