Berberine elicits anti‐arrhythmic effects via IK1/Kir2.1 in the rat type 2 diabetic myocardial infarction model

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the anti-arrhythmic mechanisms of berberine in diabetic rats with myocardial infarction. Sixty rats were divided into four groups: (1) normal control; (2) myocardial infarction group (MI); (3) Type 2 diabetes with myocardial infarction group (T2DM+MI); and (4) Type 2 diabetic with myocardial infarction berberine-treated group (BBR). Berberine (60 mg/kg/day) was administered after coronary artery ligation in the T2DM+MI group for 14 days. Currents were measured using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. Western blot was performed for quantification of target proteins. The study showed that arrhythmias induced by myocardial infarction were aggravated in diabetic rats. Arrhythmia scores in the MI group were significantly higher than in the control group. Interestingly, the administration of berberine at a dose of 60 mg/kg/d recovered arrhythmia scores (P > 0.05). RMP (Resting membrane potential) which could be recovered by berberine (P < 0.05), was significantly reduced in both the infarction groups. I(K1) current and current density markedly decreased in the MI and T2DM+MI groups (P < 0.05) and could be reversed by berberine (P < 0.05). The relative expression of Kir2.1 in rats in the MI and T2DM+MI group were both significantly decreased (P < 0.05); berberine recovered depressed Kir2.1 to nearly normal levels. The results suggest that the effects of berberine on I(K1)/Kir2.1 may be an important mechanism for producing anti-arrhythmic effects.

Targeting caveolin-3 for the treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy

“…Pertinently, levels of Kir2.1 have been shown to be depressed in rat models of both MI and T2DM with MI(Wang, Yu, Fu, Li, & Sun, 2011) although the investigators…”

Silymarin ameliorates diabetic cardiomyopathy via inhibiting TGF‐β1/Smad signaling

“…Moreover, our previous studies demonstrated that BBR improves ischemic arrhythmias through influencing Ito and Ica currents in diabetic rats . BBR reduced the incidence and duration of arrhythmias induced by myocardial infarction (Wang et al, 2011). In addition, Li et al reported that BBR alleviates cardiac ischemic and reperfusion injury and cardiac remodeling in diabetic rats (Li et al, 2018).…”

“…In addition, Berberine (BBR) is a type of isoquinoline alkaloid that is isolated from a variety of plants, such as Coptis chinensis (Chinese goldthread), Berberis vulgaris (barberry), and Phellodendron amurense (Amur corktree) (Cicero and Baggioni, 2016). BBR reduced the incidence and duration of arrhythmias induced by myocardial infarction (Wang et al, 2011). Moreover, our previous studies demonstrated that BBR improves ischemic arrhythmias through influencing Ito and Ica currents in diabetic rats .…”

Berberine ameliorates neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis by activating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway

“…Loubele et al (24) reported that the inhibition of apoptosis and inflammation contributes to the rehabilitation of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. In addition, Wang et al (25) demonstrated that berberine acts as anti-arrhythmic drug in a rat type ІІ diabetic myocardial infarction model by repressing the inward rectifier potassium channel 2. Berberine also exhibits anti-infl amma-.…”