Congping Su1, Qing Wang1, Hui Luo1, Wenchao Jiao1, Jiayang Tang1, Lin Li1, Lei Tian1, Xiangyang Chen2, Bin Liu2, Xue Yu1, Sen Li3, Shuzhen Guo4, Wei Wang5. 1. School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China. 2. School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China. 3. School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China. Electronic address: senli@bucm.edu.cn. 4. School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China. Electronic address: guoshz@bucm.edu.cn. 5. School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China. Electronic address: wangwei26960@126.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Myocardial fibrosis is an important pathological feature of pressure overload cardiac remodeling. Si-Miao-Yong-An decoction (SMYAD), a traditional Chinese formula, is now clinically used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in China. However, its mechanisms in the prevention of heart failure are not fully revealed. PURPOSE: To determine whether treatment with SMYAD for 4 weeks would lead to changes in collagen metabolism and ventricular remodeling in a mice model of heart failure. METHODS: Mice were subjected to transverse aorta constriction to generate pressure overload induced cardiac remodeling and then were administered SMYAD (14.85 g/kg/day) or captopril (16.5 mg/kg/day) intragastrically for 4 weeks after surgery. Echocardiography and immunohistochemical examination were used to evaluate the effects of SMYAD. The mRNA of collagen metabolism biomarkers were detected. Protein expression of TGF-β1/Smad and TGF-β1/TAK1/p38 pathway were assessed by Western blot. RESULTS: SMYAD significantly improved cardiac function, increased left ventricle ejection fraction, and decreased fibrosis area and αSMA expression. Moreover, SMYAD reduced proteins expression related to collagen metabolism, including Col1, Col3, TIMP2 and CTGF. The increased levels of TGF-β1, Smad2, and Smad3 phosphorylation were attenuated in SMYAD group. In addition, SMYAD reduced the levels of TGF-β1, p-TAK1 and p-p38 compared with TAC group. CONCLUSIONS: SMYAD improved cardiac fibrosis and heart failure by inhibition of TGF-β1/Smad and TGF-β1/TAK1/p38 pathway. SMYAD protected against cardiac fibrosis and maintained collagen metabolism balance by regulating MMP-TIMP expression. Taken together, these results indicate that SMYAD might be a promising therapeutic agent against cardiac fibrosis.
BACKGROUND:Myocardial fibrosis is an important pathological feature of pressure overload cardiac remodeling. Si-Miao-Yong-An decoction (SMYAD), a traditional Chinese formula, is now clinically used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in China. However, its mechanisms in the prevention of heart failure are not fully revealed. PURPOSE: To determine whether treatment with SMYAD for 4 weeks would lead to changes in collagen metabolism and ventricular remodeling in a mice model of heart failure. METHODS:Mice were subjected to transverse aorta constriction to generate pressure overload induced cardiac remodeling and then were administered SMYAD (14.85 g/kg/day) or captopril (16.5 mg/kg/day) intragastrically for 4 weeks after surgery. Echocardiography and immunohistochemical examination were used to evaluate the effects of SMYAD. The mRNA of collagen metabolism biomarkers were detected. Protein expression of TGF-β1/Smad and TGF-β1/TAK1/p38 pathway were assessed by Western blot. RESULTS:SMYAD significantly improved cardiac function, increased left ventricle ejection fraction, and decreased fibrosis area and αSMA expression. Moreover, SMYAD reduced proteins expression related to collagen metabolism, including Col1, Col3, TIMP2 and CTGF. The increased levels of TGF-β1, Smad2, and Smad3 phosphorylation were attenuated in SMYAD group. In addition, SMYAD reduced the levels of TGF-β1, p-TAK1 and p-p38 compared with TAC group. CONCLUSIONS:SMYAD improved cardiac fibrosis and heart failure by inhibition of TGF-β1/Smad and TGF-β1/TAK1/p38 pathway. SMYAD protected against cardiac fibrosis and maintained collagen metabolism balance by regulating MMP-TIMP expression. Taken together, these results indicate that SMYAD might be a promising therapeutic agent against cardiac fibrosis.
Authors: Xuan Li; Mingyan Shao; Zhen Liu; Xiaoqian Sun; Lingwen Cui; Xiangning Liu; Gang Wang; Linghui Lu; Yan Wu; Chun Li Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med Date: 2022-01-31 Impact factor: 2.629