Several mechanisms have been proposed for the heart dysfunction during
hyperglycemia. The aim of the present in vitro study is to elucidate the role of alterations in redox homeostasis in the induction of apoptosis during
hyperglycemia in H9c2 cells via dysfunction in mitochondria and
polyol pathway and evaluation of the beneficial effect of
cinnamic acid against the same. The H9c2 cells were incubated with 33 mM
glucose for 48 h to simulate the diabetic condition. Cell injury was confirmed with a significant increase of
atrial natriuretic peptide and
lactate dehydrogenase release. Alterations in the innate
antioxidant system,
polyol pathway, mitochondrial integrity, dynamics and apoptosis were investigated. Hyperglycemic insult has significantly affected redox homeostasis via depletion of
superoxide dismutase,
glutathione and enhanced
reactive oxygen species generation. It also caused dysregulation in mitochondrial dynamics (fusion, fission
proteins), dissipation of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and increased
sorbitol accumulation. Finally, apoptosis was observed with upregulation of Bax, activation of
caspase-3 and downregulation of Bcl-2.
Cinnamic acid cotreatment increased the innate
antioxidant status, improved mitochondrial function and prevented apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts. Moreover, this in vitro model is found to be ideal for the elucidation of mechanisms at the cellular and molecular level of any physiological, pharmacological and toxicological incidents in H9c2 cells.