Potential cardioprotective effect of paroxetine against ventricular remodeling in an animal model of myocardial infarction: a comparative study.

Background: Post-myocardial infarction (MI) remodeling involves various structural and functional changes, such as inflammation and fibrosis. Upregulation of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) is linked to the progression of cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction. The inhibitory effects of paroxetine on GRK2 are recognized, yet its protective effect on post-MI remodeling has not been elucidated. Here, we investigated the cardioprotective effect of paroxetine in an animal model of MI, focusing on post-MI cardiac remodeling and comparing its effect to a β-blocker and an angiotensin receptor antagonist.

Methods: Albino Wistar rats were divided into five groups (control; untreated MI; and MI pre-treated with either paroxetine, metoprolol, or irbesartan). MI was induced using isoproterenol (100 mg.kg^-1) on days 16 and 17. Cardioprotective effects were determined by assessing markers of cardiac injury, histopathology, inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis. Statistical analysis performed using a one-way analysis of variance, followed by an appropriate post hoc test, the differences between the groups were considered significant when the (P < 0.05).

Results: Paroxetine significantly attenuated cardiac injury biomarkers including serum Tn-I and CK-MB levels. In terms of cardiac remodeling, paroxetine significantly reduced the relative HW/BW index and the plasms FGF23 level. Furthermore, it modulated markers of fibrosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

Conclusion: The current findings suggest that pre-treatment with paroxetine may exert a beneficial effect that protects against post-MI remodeling, including modulating fibrotic, inflammatory, and angiogenesis-related factors. Therefore, the current findings show the promising role of paroxetine as a cardioprotective that attenuates post-MI remodeling processes.