The effect of carvacrol on transcription levels of Bcl-2 family proteins in hypertrophied heart of rats

Introduction: Cardiomyocytes apoptosis contributes to the development of left ventricular hypertrophy. The Bcl-2 family members are important regulators of mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Monoterpenoid phenol &ndash;carvacrol&ndash; possesses strong antioxidant properties. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of carvacrol on transcription level of pro-apoptotic (Bad and Bax) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2 and BCL-xL) members of Bcl-2 family in hypertrophied hearts. Methods: Male Wistar rats (170-200 g) were divided into the following groups: (I) intact animals served as the control (Ctl), (II) un-treated rats subjected to aortic banding to induce left ventricular hypertrophy (H group), (III, IV, V and VI): carvacrol (C)-pretreated rats (5, 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg/day) subjected to aortic banding (H+C5, H+C10, H+C25 and H+C50 groups, respectively). Blood pressure was recorded through the carotid artery cannulation. Fibrosis was assessed by Masson&rsquo;s trichrome staining. Gene expression was evaluated by real time-PCR technique. Results: In the H+C10, H+C25 and H+C50 groups mean arterial pressure (P<0.05, P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively) and heart weight to body weight ratio (P<0.05, P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively) were decreased significantly in comparison with H group. In the H group the Bad mRNA level was increased significantly compared to Ctl (P<0.001); while in the H+C10, H+C25 and H+C50 groups Bad mRNA level was decreased significantly (P<0.0 5, P<0.001 and P<0.001 vs. H). In H+C25 and H+C50 groups Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL mRNA were also up-regulated when compared with Ctl. Conclusion: Taken together, our results suggest that carvacrol may protect the hypertrophied heart against apoptosis by affecting transcription of Bcl-2 family members.