Matrine reduces susceptibility to postinfarct atrial fibrillation in rats due to antifibrotic properties

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate whether matrine could prevent atrial fibrillation (AF) after myocardial infarction by reducing left atrial fibrosis, and to determine the underlying mechanisms in isolated cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). Five weeks after MI, matrine-treated rats had lower rates of AF inducibility and shorter AF duration than MI rats. Matrine improved the left atrial conduction velocity and homogeneity. Matrine decreased the fibrosis positive areas and the protein levels of type I collagen and type III collagen in the left atrium. Matrine inhibited CFs differentiation to myofibroblasts and the expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and matrix metalloproteinase 9. In vitro, matrine inhibited the CFs proliferation, migration, differentiation, and secretion ability. These in vitro and in vivo data demonstrated that matrine has the potential to reduce susceptibility to AF after MI due, at least in part, to reduced atrial fibrosis via inhibiting CFs proliferation, migration, differentiation, and secretion ability.

Tongguan capsule‐derived herb reduces susceptibility to atrial fibrillation by inhibiting left atrial fibrosis via modulating cardiac fibroblasts

“…After HF, the effect of improving the ventricular remodelling or cardiac function on AF is still inconclusive . CFs, the largest cell population in the heart, are known as the main effector cells responsible for cardiac fibrosis.…”

“…Fibroblasts are activated and differentiated into myofibroblasts that proliferate and cause fibrosis as a component of the wound‐healing response . In most organs, active fibroblasts undergo apoptosis and disappear following the completion of tissue repair, while in the heart, myofibroblasts have been shown to persist in atrium or mature infarct scars . Myofibroblasts are responsible for excessive deposition of the extracellular matrix.…”

“…After 4 weeks of TGD or water treatment, induction of AF measurement was performed, as we described previously. 27 AF was defined as irregular, rapid atrial activation with varying electrogram morphology lasting ≥2 seconds. The atrial rates were typically >1500 bpm in rats, as described previously.…”

“…After HF, the effect of improving the ventricular remodelling or cardiac function on AF is still inconclusive. 27 CFs, the largest cell population in the heart, are known as the main effector cells responsible for cardiac fibrosis. After injury, various peptide growth factors stimulate fibroblasts to migrate to the wound site and proliferate to reconstitute the various connective tissue components.…”

Danqi soft capsule prevents infarct border zone remodelling and reduces susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias in post‐myocardial infarction rats

“…The MI model was carried out as our previously described . Male Sprague‐Dawley rats (with the weight of 250‐280 g, SPF, Guangdong Medical Experimental Animal Center) were anaesthetized.…”