Phytomedicine has shown a promising potential for the prevention of cardiovascular system diseases and disorders. This study aimed to evaluate protective effect of ergosterol (ER) on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial cardiotoxicity. We found that pretreatment with ER significantly decreased levels of myocardial CK-MB and LDH, and alleviated myocardial damage induced by ISO in rat model. In addition, ER restored Nrf2 and HO-1 expression and inhibited apoptosis through upregulating Bcl-2 and downregulating Bax, cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP in rat hearts. Hypoxia-reoxygenation model in H9C2 cells confirmed the cardioprotective effects of ER. In conclusion, we provide both in vitro and in vivo evidence that ER significantly enhances Nrf2-mediated anti-oxidative activities, and exerts a protective effect on cardiomyocyte apoptosis. ER could be considered as a potential therapeutic agent to prevent myocardial injury.

中文翻译：

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麦角固醇减弱异丙肾上腺素诱导的心肌心脏毒性。

植物药已显示出预防心血管系统疾病和病症的巨大潜力。本研究旨在评估麦角甾醇 (ER) 对异丙肾上腺素 (ISO) 诱导的心肌心脏毒性的保护作用。我们发现用 ER 预处理可显着降低大鼠模型中心肌 CK-MB 和 LDH 的水平，并减轻 ISO 诱导的心肌损伤。此外，ER 在大鼠心脏中通过上调 Bcl-2 和下调 Bax、细胞色素 c、cleaved caspase-3、caspase-9 和 PARP 来恢复 Nrf2 和 HO-1 的表达并抑制细胞凋亡。H9C2 细胞缺氧复氧模型证实了 ER 的心脏保护作用。总之，我们提供了 ER 显着增强 Nrf2 介导的抗氧化活性的体外和体内证据，并对心肌细胞凋亡起到保护作用。ER 可被视为预防心肌损伤的潜在治疗剂。