The antioxidant compound tert-butylhydroquinone activates Akt in myocardium, suppresses apoptosis and ameliorates pressure overload-induced cardiac dysfunction.

ABSTRACT: Tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) is an antioxidant compound which shows multiple cytoprotective actions. We evaluated the effects of TBHQ on pathological cardiac remodeling and dysfunction induced by chronic overload. Pressure overload was created by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in male C57BL/6 mice. TBHQ was incorporated in the diet and administered for 4 weeks. TBHQ treatment prevented left ventricular dilatation and cardiac dysfunction induced by TAC, and decreased the prevalence of myocardial apoptosis. The beneficial effects of TBHQ were associated with an increase in Akt activation, but not related to activations of Nrf2 or AMP-activated protein kinase. TBHQ-induced Akt activation was accompanied by increased phosphorylation of Bad, glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and mamma

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4531315 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature