Salidroside pretreatment protects against myocardial injury induced by heat stroke in mice

OBJECTIVE: To explore the protective effects and mechanisms of salidroside on myocardial injury induced by heat stroke (HS) in mice. METHODS: We pretreated mice with salidroside for 1 week and then established an HS model by exposure to 41.2°C for 1 hour. We then examined the effects of salidroside on survival. We also assessed the severity of cardiac injury by pathology, and analyzed changes in levels of myocardial injury markers, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress. RESULTS: Salidroside pretreatment significantly reduced HS-induced mortality and improved thermoregulatory function. Salidroside also provided significant protection against HS-induced myocardial damage, and decreased the expression levels of cardiac troponin I, creatine kinase-MB, and lactate dehydrogenase. Moreover, salidroside attenuated HS-induced changes in the inflammation markers tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10, and down-regulated the oxidative stress response indicated by thiobarbituric acid reactant substances, malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, and superoxide dismutase. CONCLUSIONS: Salidroside pretreatment protected against HS-induced myocardial damage, potentially via a mechanism involving anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects.