Leucine induces cardioprotection in vitro by promoting mitochondrial function via mTOR and Opa-1 signaling
Atsushi Morio Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases Articles in Press E-mail Alert - July 10, 2021
Highlights
• Leucine (Leu, 160 μM) improved survival rate of cardiomyocytes in vitro.
• Rapamycin (mTOR inhibitor) prevented the cardioprotective effect induced by Leu.
• Wortmannin (PI3K inhibitor) did not hinder this effect induced by Leu.
• Leu-induced mitochondrial biogenesis improved mitochondrial function.
• Leu treatment is critical in cardioprotection via mTOR signaling.
Background and Aims
Coronary heart disease is a major global health concern. Further, severity of this condition is greatly influenced by myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) have cardioprotective effects against I/R via mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity, wherein Leu is considered to particularly regulate mTOR activation. However, the mechanism underlying cardioprotective effects of Leu via mTOR activity is not fully elucidated. Here, we aimed to study the signaling pathway of cardioprotection and mitochondrial function induced by Leu treatment.
Methods and Results
Cardiac myocytes isolated from adult male Wistar rats were incubated and exposed to simulated I/R (SI/R) injury by replacing the air content. Cardiac myocytes were treated with Leu and subsequently, their survival rate was calculated. To elucidate the signaling pathway and mitochondrial function, immunoblots and mitochondrial permeability transition pore were examined. Cell survival rate was decreased with SI/R but improved by 160 μM Leu (38.5 ± 3.6 % vs. 64.5 ± 4.2 %, respectively, p < 0.001). Although rapamycin (mTOR inhibitor) prevented this cardioprotective effect induced by Leu, wortmannin (PI3K inhibitor) did not interfere with this effect. In addition, we indicated that overexpression of Opa-1 and mitochondrial function are ameliorated via Leu-induced mitochondrial biogenesis. In contrast, knockdown of Opa-1 suppressed Leu-induced cardioprotection.
Conclusion
Leu treatment is critical in rendering a cardioprotective effect exhibited by BCAAs via mTOR signaling. Furthermore, Leu improved mitochondrial function.