LAUSR

Doxorubicin (Dox) could trigger a large amount of apoptotic cells in the myocardium, which leads to dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure. S-propargyl-cysteine (SPRC), an endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) initiator, possesses cardioprotective efficacy. However, the specific effect and mechanism of SPRC in Dox-induced cardiotoxicity remain elusive. Given gp130 with its main downstream signalling molecule, STAT3, is involved in cardiac myocyte survival and growth, the present study was performed to elucidate whether SPRC counteracts Dox-induced cardiotoxicity, and if so, whether the gp130/STAT3 pathway is involved in this cardioprotective activity. SPRC stimulated the activation of STAT3 via the gp130-mediated transduction tunnel in vitro and in vivo. In Dox-stimulated cardiotoxicity, SPRC enhanced cell viability, restored expression of gp130/STAT3-regulated downstream genes, inhibited apoptosis and oxidative stress, and antagonized mitochondrial dysfunction and intracellular Ca 2+ overload. Furthermore, blockade of gp130/STAT3 signalling abrogated all of the beneficial effects of SPRC. Our findings present the first piece of evidence for the therapeutic properties of SPRC in alleviating Dox cardiotoxicity, which could be attributed to the activation of gp130-mediated STAT3 signalling. This will offer a novel molecular basis and therapeutic strategy for the use of H 2 S donors in the treatment of heart failure.