Characterization of the protective effects of cardiotrophin-1 against non-ischemic death stimuli in adult cardiomyocytes

The aim of this study was to investigate the cytoprotective effects of CT-1 against non-ischemic death stimuli in adult cardiomyocytes. Primary cultures of cardiomyocytes isolated from adult rats were stimulated with either angiotensin II (Ang II) or H(2)O(2) in the presence or absence of CT-1. Cell death was determined by trypan blue exclusion, cell viability by MTT assay and apoptosis by TUNEL-Annexin-V staining. Intracellular pathways were analyzed by the employment of chemical inhibitors and by the assessment of signalling intermediates phosphorylation by Western blot analysis. CT-1 reduced (p<0.01) total cell death and apoptosis induced by either Ang II or H(2)O(2), and increased (p