Novel cardiac and mitochondrial effects of Echinochrome A

抄録

Echinochrome A (Ech A), a marine bio-product isolated from sea urchin eggs, is known to have cardioprotective effects through its strong antioxidant and ATP-sparing capabilities. However its biological effect and underlying mechanisms were not clear. Our recent studies investigated the novel effect of Ech A on mitochondria function and biology, cardiac protection against cardio toxins and cardiac contractility and Ca2+ handling. The studies figure out (1) Ech A enhances the mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation (2) Ech A protect cardiac cells from different kinds of cardio toxins including tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP, organic reactive oxygen species (ROS) inducer), sodium nitroprusside (SNP; anti-hypertension drug), and doxorubicin (anti-cancer drug) (3) Ech A negatively regulates cardiac contractility by inhibiting SERCA2A activity, which leads to a reduction in internal Ca2+ stores (4) Ech A promotes the differentiation of stem cells into cardiac cells through regulation of mitochondrial function (5) Ech A is effective in treating diabetic nephropathy by protecting mitochondrial function. These novel effects of Ech A suggest possible clinical application and drug repositioning of Ech A to various cardiovascular diseases.