Early long-term L-T3 replacement rescues mitochondria and prevents ischemic cardiac remodeling in rats.

Abstract Aims. 3,5,3'-Levo-triiodothyronine (L-T3) is essential for DNA transcription, mitochondrial biogenesis and respiration, but its circulating levels rapidly decrease after myocardial infarction (MI). The main aim of our study was to test whether an early and sustained normalization of L T3 serum levels after MI exerts myocardial protective effects through a mitochondrial preservation. Methods. Seventy-two hours after MI induced by anterior interventricular artery left coronary artery ligation, rats were infused with synthetic L-T3 (1.2 mug/kg/day) or saline over 4 weeks. Results. Compared to saline, L-T3 infusion restored FT3 serum levels at euthyroid state (6.5+/-0.5 vs 4.6+/- 0.3 pmol/L), improved LV ejection fraction (39.5+/-2.5 vs 65.5+/-6.9%), preserved LV end-systolic wall thickening in the peri-infarct zone (6.34+/-3.1 vs 33.7+/-6.21%) and reduced LV infarct-scar size by approximately 50% (all P<0.05). Moreover, L-T3 significantly increased angiogenesis and cell survival and enhanced the expression of nuclear-encoded transcription factors involved in these processes. Finally, L-T3 significantly increased the expression of factors involved in mitochondrial DNA transcription and biogenesis, such as HIF-1alpha, mtTFA and PGC-1alpha, in the LV peri-infarct zone. To further explore mechanisms of L-T3 protective effects, we exposed isolated neonatal cardiomyocytes to H2O2 and found that L-T3 rescued mitochondrial biogenesis and function and protected against cell death via a mitoKATP dependent pathway. Conclusion. Early and sustained physiological restoration of circulating L-T3 levels after MI halves infarctscar size and prevents the progression towards heart failure. This beneficial effect is likely due to enhanced capillary formation and mitochondrial protection.