Lactobacillus paracasei Impact on Myocardial Hypertrophy in Rats with Heart Failure

Cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac dysfunction are important complications of heart failure. Cardiovascular, immunological, and hormonal players are involved in the pathogenesis of heart failure. Current evidence suggests that probiotics may have fruitful effects on the heart function. This was our aim. To this end, effects of oral administration of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei 8700:2 on isoproterenol-induced heart failure were investigated. Forty male Wistar rats weighing 200 g were randomly assigned to five groups; the control group (saline-treated group), probiotic-treated group, heart failure group (isoproterenol-introduced group), pretreatment group (treating them by probiotic for 20 days then induced heart failure) and treatment group (following heart failure-induced, treating them by probiotic for 20 days). The groups were studied for 30 days. Serum levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and chemerin were measured by ELISA. Finally, the hearts were removed for histopathological evaluation. Compared to the control group, isoproterenol caused cardiac hypertrophy and increased ANP (P < 0.05) and chemerin levels. Treatment with Lactobacillus paracasei significantly reduced the levels of ANP (P < 0.01) and decreased the pathological damages to the myocardium. It caused a small reduction in chemerin level, as well. Pretreatment with probiotics had no positive effects on cardiac hypertrophy and related parameters. Our findings indicate that treatment with Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei 8700:2 reduces cardiac hypertrophy in rats. In addition, this probiotic reduces the serum levels of chemerin and ANP.