Resveratrol Inhibits High Glucose-Induced H9c2 Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy and Damage via RAGE-Dependent Inhibition of the NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smad3 Pathways.

Hyperglycaemia is associated with the development of cardiac vascular disease. Resveratrol (RES) is a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound that possesses many biological properties, including anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidation functions. Our study aimed to explore the RES's protective roles on high glucose (HG)-induced H9c2 cells and the underlying mechanisms. Small-molecule inhibitors, western blotting (WB), as well as reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) were employed to investigate the mechanisms underlying HG-induced damage in H9c2 cells. RES (40 μg/mL) treatment significantly alleviated HG-induced cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac dysfunction. RES abated the HG-induced increase in the levels of extracellular matrix (ECM) components and inflammatory cytokines, reducing ECM accumulation and inflammatory responses. Additionally, RES administration prevented HG-induced mitochondrion-mediated cardiac apoptosis of myocardial cells. In terms of mechanisms, we demonstrated that RES ameliorated the HG-induced overexpression of receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) and downregulation of NF-κB signalling. Moreover, RES inhibited HG-induced cardiac fibrosis by inhibiting transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1)/Smad3-mediated ECM synthesis in cultured H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Further studies revealed that the effects of RES against HG-induced upregulation of NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smad3 pathways were similar to those of FPS-ZM1, a RAGE inhibitor. Collectively, the results implied that RES might help alleviate HG-induced cardiotoxicity via RAGE-dependent downregulation of the NF-κB and TGF-β/Smad3 pathways. This study provided evidence that RES can be developed as a promising cardioprotective drug.