Frontiers in Pharmacology (Dec 2018)

Melatonin Ameliorates Coxsackievirus B3-Induced Myocarditis by Regulating Apoptosis and Autophagy

  • Yimiao Sang,
  • Yimiao Sang,
  • Xiaohong Gu,
  • Lulu Pan,
  • Lulu Pan,
  • Chunxiang Zhang,
  • Chunxiang Zhang,
  • Xing Rong,
  • Tingting Wu,
  • Tianhe Xia,
  • Yuechun Li,
  • Lisha Ge,
  • Yuanhai Zhang,
  • Maoping Chu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.01384
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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Current therapeutics options for viral myocarditis are unsatisfactory. Melatonin (MLT), a hormone secreted by the pineal gland and other organs, has protective effects on ischemic heart injury. However, the potential therapeutic effect of MLT on viral myocarditis is unknown. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of MLT on viral myocarditis in a mouse model of myocarditis infected with coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) and explored the probable mechanisms. Mice with CVB3-induced myocarditis displayed inflammatory cell infiltration and interstitial edema. MLT treatment significantly ameliorated the myocardial injuries. In addition, the rate of autophagy changed, although apoptosis was inhibited in mouse hearts following treatment with MLT. These results suggest that MLT has a strong therapeutic effect on acute viral myocarditis, which is associated with changes in autophagy and apoptosis in the heart. Thus, MLT could be a promising novel therapeutic approach against viral myocarditis.

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