Effects and mechanisms of curcumin on the hemodynamic variables of isolated perfused rat hearts

Abstract

Background/aim: There is no information on the dose–response relationship of curcumin on the hemodynamic variables of the heart at the organ level in isolated perfused rat hearts. We aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of curcumin on the hemodynamic variables of isolated perfused rat hearts. Materials and methods: Rats were randomly divided into 9 groups. The isolated rat heart was retrogradely perfused with modified Krebs–Henseleit solution. After the stabilization period, each group was administered one of the following treatments for 25 min: saline, dimethyl sulfoxide, and curcumin (0.2 μM, 1 μM, and 5 μM); atropine (1 μM); atropine (1 μM) + curcumin (1 μM); L-NAME (100 μM); or L-NAME (100 μM) + curcumin (1 μM). Hemodynamic variables of the heart were measured. Results: Curcumin at dose of 1 μM decreased the heart rate (from 271 ± 11.1 to 200.4 ± 14.3 beats/min, P = 0.011) but increased enddiastolic pressure (from 7.0 ± 0.4 to 54.6 ± 7.9 mmHg, P = 0.0008). A dose of 5 μM curcumin caused a decrease in the developed pressure (from 87.58 ± 9.0 to 65.40 ± 7.0 mmHg, P = 0.047) but an increase in the end-diastolic pressure (from 6.8 ± 0.6 to 48.9 ± 7.7 mmHg, P = 0.005). Atropine (1 μM) reversed the effects of curcumin on the heart. Conclusion: Our results suggest that curcumin produces dose-dependent negative chronotropic and inotropic effects in isolated perfused rat hearts.