Cardioprotective effect of resveratrol via HO-1 expression involves p38 map kinase and PI-3-kinase signaling, but does not involve NFκB

Recent studies have demonstrated that resveratrol (trans-3,4',5-trihydroxy stilbene), a phytoalexin found in the skin and seeds of grapes, can pharmacologically precondition (PC) the heart through a nitric oxide (NO)-dependent and adenosine receptors-mediated mechanism. Since NO can induce the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), we examined if HO-1 induction has a direct role in resveratrol-preconditioning of the heart. Eight groups of rats were studied during 7 days: (i) control rats; (ii) rats receiving resveratrol (gavage, 2.5 mg/kg); (iii) rats injected tin protoporphyrin (SnPP), a HO-1 inhibitor, i.p. on days 1, 3 and 6; (iv) rats injected 202190 (SB), a p38MAPK inhibitor, i.p. for 7days; (v) rats injected 294002 (LY), a Akt inhibitor, i.p. for 7days; (vi) rats receiving resveratrol and SnPP; (vii) rats receiving resveratrol and SB; and (viii) rats receiving resveratrol and LY. After the treatments, the rats were sacrificed, and the hearts isolated and subjected to 30 min global ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion. The results shown a significant cardioprotection with resveratrol as evidenced by superior post-ischemic ventricular recovery, reduced myocardial infarct size, and decreased number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes. SnPP treatment abolished the cardioprotective effect of resveratrol. Resveratrol induced the activation of nuclear factor kappa-beta(NF kappa B), the phosphorylation of p38MAP kinase alpha and Akt, as well as the inhibition of p38 MAP kinase beta all these effects but the activation of NF kappa B, were completely reversed by treatment with SnPP. These results indicate that resveratrol generates cardioprotection by preconditioning the heart by HO-1-mediated mechanisms, which are regulated by p38MAP kinase and Akt survival signaling, but non-dependent on NF kappa B activation.