Milk-Derived Kefir Improves Cardiac Function in Female Rats Subjected to Myocardial Infarction.

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases remain a major global health burden, with myocardial infarction (MI) being a leading cause of mortality and long-term disability. Kefir, a fermented milk beverage rich in probiotic and bioactive compounds, has demonstrated cardioprotective effects in experimental models of hypertension. However, its effects in MI induced by coronary artery ligation remain poorly understood. This study investigated the impact of chronic kefir administration on cardiac function and remodeling in female Wistar rats subjected to MI. Animals were allocated to three groups: sham-operated (S), infarct vehicle-treated (IV), and infarct kefir-treated (IK). Treatments were administered daily for 60 days. Hemodynamic parameters, infarct area, collagen deposition, oxidative stress markers, and morphometric changes were evaluated. Chronic kefir treatment significantly reduced left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), infarct area, and collagen deposition in infarcted animals. Kefir also improved hemodynamic parameters by reducing systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures while increasing heart rate. In addition, oxidative stress was attenuated, as evidenced by lower levels of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP). No evidence of systemic toxicity or organ hypertrophy was observed. These findings suggest that milk-derived kefir exerts cardioprotective effects by improving hemodynamic function, attenuating adverse cardiac remodeling, and reducing oxidative stress. Collectively, the results support the potential of kefir as an adjunctive strategy for improving cardiac recovery following MI.