The preventive effect of garlicin on a porcine model of myocardial infarction reperfusion no-reflow

Objective To evaluate whether garlicin can prevent reperfusion no-reflow in a catheter-based porcine model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods Twenty-two male Chinese mini swines were randomized into 3 groups: sham-operation group ( n =6), control group ( n =8), and garlicin group ( n =8). The distal part of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) in swines of the latter two groups was completely occluded by dilated balloon for 2 h and a successful AMI model was confirmed by coronary angiography (CAG) and electrocardiograph (ECG), which was then reperfused for 3 h. In the sham-operation group, balloon was placed in LAD without dilatation. Garlicin at a dosage of 1.88 mg/kg was injected 10 min before LAD occlusion until reperfusion for 1 h in the garlicin group. To assess serial cardiac function, hemodynamic data were examined by catheter method before AMI, 2 h after occlusion and 1, 2, and 3 h after reperfusion. Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) and double staining with Evans blue and thioflavin-S were performed to evaluate myocardial no-reflow area (NRA) and risk area (RA). Results Left ventricular systolic pressure and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure significantly improved in the garlicin group after reperfusion compared with the control group P <0.05) and 2 h after AMI ( P <0.05). MCE showed garlicin decreased reperfusion NRA after AMI compared with the control group ( P <0.05). In double staining, NRA/RA in the garlicin group was 18.78%, significantly lower than that of the control group (49.84%, P <0.01). Conclusions Garlicin has a preventive effect on the porcine model of myocardial infarction reperfusion no-reflow by improving hemodynamics and decreasing NRA.