Ginger extract mitigates ethanol-induced changes of alpha and beta – myosin heavy chain isoforms gene expression and oxidative stress in the heart of male wistar rats

The association between ethanol consumption and heart abnormalities, such as chamber dilation, myocyte
damage, ventricular hypertrophy, and hypertension is well known. However, underlying molecular mediators
involved in ethanol-induced heart abnormalities remain elusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the
effect of chronic ethanol exposure on alpha and beta – myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms gene expression
transition and oxidative stress in rats’ heart. It was also planned to find out whether ginger extract mitigated the
abnormalities induced by ethanol in rats’ heart. Male wistar rats were divided into three groups of eight animals
as follows: Control, ethanol, and ginger extract treated ethanolic (GETE) groups. After six weeks of treatment,
the results revealed a significant increase in the β-MHC gene expression, 8- OHdG amount, and NADPH oxidase
level. Furthermore, a significant decrease in the ratio of α-MHC/β-MHC gene expression to the amount of
paraoxonase enzyme in the ethanol group compared to the control group was found. The consumption of Ginger
extract along with ethanol ameliorated the changes in MHC isoforms gene expression and reduced the elevated
amount of 8-OHdG and NADPH oxidase. Moreover, compared to the consumption of ethanol alone, it increased
the paraoxonase level significantly.
These findings indicate that ethanol-induced heart abnormalities may in part be associated with MHC isoforms changes mediated by oxidative stress, and that these effects can be alleviated by using ginger extract as an
antioxidant molecule.