The effect of hepcidin on heart ischemia and reperfusion

Hepcidin is the main hormone in the regulation of iron metabolism. Also hepcidin is a intrinsic cardiac hormone that released from the heart and its secretion is regulated by hypoxia and inflammation. In our study, we aimed to investigate the effects of hepsidinin on the cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury. Perfused rat hearts with Langendorff system were subjected for 30 min to stabilization, global ischemia followed by reperfusion. Given 10-5 M concentration of hepcidin to groups at the origin of ischemia. In all findings, control (I/R) groups compared with hepcidin groups. In heart tissue MDA, GSH and NOx levels were measured. Measured NOx levels, viscosity and ion content for the perfusate that collected before ischemia and in 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, minutes of reperfusion. Finally, the histological and immunohistochemical examinations were performed. Hepcidin levels in the groups with significant decrease in heart tissue NOx and MDA but GSH level was non-significant decrease. It was not found difference in perfusate levels of NOx and viscosity values of the intra-groups and inter-groups. Perfusate ion analysis was done; iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, thallium in the hepcidin groups showed more regular ion values than control (I/R) groups. Histological examination showed heart muscle intracellular and intercellular structures in hepcidin groups closer to normal. Immunohistochemical findings in the hepcidin treated groups showed no evidence of increased apoptosis like that is found in control (I/R) groups. Based on histological and immunohistochemical results and in the light of our biochemical findings with given 10-5 M concentration of hepsidin at the beginning of ischemia has been found to be a protective effect on the heart.