title: [Effects of Tanshinone II A on the myocardial apoptosis and the miR-133 levels in rats with heart failure].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the effects of Tanshinone II A (Tan II A) on the myocardial apoptosis in rats with heart failure and its mechanisms for regulating the miR- 133 levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  The heart failure rat model was established by thoracic aorta constriction (TAC). Tan II A Injection was applied for 12 successive weeks. Meanwhile, partial heart failure rats were subcutaneously implanted with osmotic pump of antagonist to observe its inhibition on the miR-133 level. Twelve weeks later, the hemodynamic conditions, the myocardial apoptosis (using TUENL method), myocardial pro-apoptotic genes (Bax and Caspase-3), and the expressions of anti-apoptosis genes (Bcl-2) (using Western blot and RT-PCR method) were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the sham-operation group, TAC operation could deteriorate the heart function (except the mean arterial pressure), elevate the myocardial apoptosis level, increase the protein and mRNA levels of Bax and Caspase-3, and down-regulate the protein and mRNA levels of miR-133 and Bcl-2. TAC rats treated by Tan II A could significantly improve all indices with statistical difference except the heart rate. Subcutaneously pumping of antagonist could partially abolish the anti-apoptosis effect of Tan II A.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tan II A could decrease the myocardial apoptosis level of heart failure rats, which was possibly realized by up-regulating the miR-133 level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Tongli Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Shu-Sheng
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Qian-Sheng
authors.initials: QS
authors.lastname: Liang
mesh_terms: D045784:Abietanes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism*; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D045784:Abietanes; C549446:MIRN133 microRNA, rat; D035683:MicroRNAs; C021751:tanshinone