The Anti-Inflammatory Mediator 17(R)-Resolvin D1 Attenuates Pressure Overload-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy and Fibrosis

BACKGROUND: Increased inflammation contributes to pressure overload-induced myocardial remodeling. 17(R)-Resolvin D1 (17(R)-RvD1), a potent lipid mediator derived from docosahexaenoic acid, possesses anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving properties. However, the association between 17(R)-RvD1 and pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy remains unclear. METHODS: Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) surgery was performed to establish a cardiac hypertrophy model. C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to the Sham, TAC and TAC+17(R)-RvD1 groups. 17(R)-RvD1 was injected (2 μg/kg, i.p.) before TAC surgery and once every other day after surgery for 4 weeks. The same volume of saline was injected into the mice in both Sham group and TAC group. Then, cardiac function was evaluated and heart tissues were collected for biological analysis. RESULTS: 17(R)-RvD1 treatment attenuated TAC-induced increase in left ventricular diameter and decrease in left ventricular contractility, mitigated increased cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area, and downregulated the expression of hypertrophic genes. Besides, 17(R)-RvD1 attenuated myocardial fibrosis, as indicated by the decreased LV collagen volume and expression of fibrotic genes. In addition, 17(R)-RvD1 ameliorated the inflammatory response in cardiac tissue, as illustrated by the decreased infiltration of CD68(+) macrophages and reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. 17(R)-RvD1 treatment significantly suppressed the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome after TAC surgery, which might be responsible for the attenuation of inflammation in cardiac tissue. CONCLUSION: 17(R)-RvD1 attenuated pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, and the possible mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome. 17(R)-RvD1 may serve as a potential drug for the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy.