title: Protective effect of oxymatrine on myocardial fibrosis induced by acute myocardial infarction in rats involved in TGF-β₁-Smads signal pathway.
abstract: Oxymatrine (1), a component extracted from a traditional Chinese herb Sophora japonica (Sophora flavescens Ait.), has been demonstrated to have a variety of pharmacological actions. Abundant experimental evidence indicates that 1 may exert a protective effect on the cardiovascular system. This study was designed to explore the possible role of 1 against myocardial fibrosis induced by acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and its modulation on transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β(1))-Smads signaling pathways. Rats with AMI induced by ligation of left anterior descending branch were randomly assigned to receive 1 50 and 25 mg/kg intragastrically, and model group which were further compared with sham-operated group, and positive group treated with captopril. The effects of 4-week therapy with 1 starting 24 h after infarction had been investigated based on (1) hemodynamics, (2) tissue weights, (3) biochemical indicator (hydroxyproline contents in left ventricle), and (4) TGF-β(1), TGF-β(1) receptor (TβR(1)), Smad3, Smad4, Smad7, Col1, and Col3 expression by semi-quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Treatment with 1 significantly ameliorated hemodynamics, inhibited the expression of TβR(1) mRNA and Smad3 mRNA, and reduced the left ventricle weight/body weight. The results of this research indicated that 1 might protect against myocardial fibrosis and the mechanism may be involved in modulating TGF-β(1)-Smads signal pathway.
authors.affiliation: Research Division of Pharmacology, Guiyang Medical University, Guiyang, China. shenxiangchun@126.com
authors.forename: Xiang-Chun
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Yu-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ting-Ting
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Jiao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Xing-De
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D008954:Models, Biological; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011807:Quinolizines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D051785:Smad Proteins / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D029909:Sophora / Q000737:chemistry*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000093842:Matrines
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D011807:Quinolizines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051785:Smad Proteins; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; C037573:oxymatrine; D000093842:Matrines