title: Berberine Attenuates Vascular Remodeling and Inflammation in a Rat  Model of Metabolic Syndrome.
abstract: Berberine is a natural product that shows benefits for metabolic syndrome (MS). However, the effects of berberine on the improvement of vascular inflammation and remodeling in MS remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether berberine could prevent vascular remodeling and inflammation in the MS condition. A rat model of MS was established, and MS rats were divided into two groups: MS group without berberine treatment, and MSB group with berberine treatment (each group n-10). Ten normal Wistar rats were used as controls (NC group). Vascular damage was examined by transmission electron microscopy and pathological staining. Compared to the NC group, the secretion of inflammatory factors was increased and the aortic wall thicker in the MS group. The MSB group exhibited decreased secretion of inflammatory factors and improved vascular remodeling, compared to the MS group. In addition, the levels of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), activating transcription factor 2 (ATF-2) and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) were significantly decreased in the MSB group compared to the MS group. In conclusion, our data show that berberine improves vascular inflammation and remodeling in the MS condition, and this is correlated with the ability of berberine to inhibit p38 MAPK activation, ATF-2 phosphorylation, and MMP-2 expression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Qilu Hospital,  2) Department of Emergency, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University
authors.forename: Xiao-Xing
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Chuan-Bao
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Hai-Qing
authors.initials: HQ
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: He-Wen
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xin-Yu
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiao-Ping
authors.initials: XP
authors.lastname: Ji
mesh_terms: D051698:Activating Transcription Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D001599:Berberine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010766:Phosphorylation; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015398:Signal Transduction; D066253:Vascular Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects*; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D051698:Activating Transcription Factor 2; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D010936:Plant Extracts; D001599:Berberine; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2