Protective effects of Xinji′erkang on myocardial infarction induced cardiac injury in mice

Abstract

BackgroundMyocardial infarction (MI) is a major risk factor responsible for morbidity and mortality. Xinji′erkang (XJEK) has been clinically used as an effective medication in the treatment of coronary heart disease and myocarditis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cardioprotective effect of Xinji′erkang on MI mice.MethodsForty male mice were randomly assigned into four groups as follows (n = 10): sham, model, MI with administration of XJEK and fosinopril for four weeks. At the end of studies, hemodynamic parameters and electrocardiography (ECG) were recorded. Heart and body mass were measured and heart weight/body weight (HW/BW) ratio was calculated as index of hypertrophy. The hypertrophy of heart and aorta was examined using the hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and the collagen deposition was evaluated using Van Gieson (VG) staining. Serum nitric oxide level (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration were assayed by colorimetric analysis. The expressions of endothelial NO synthetase (eNOS) expression in serum and cardiac tissues were determined using ELISA assay and immunohistochemistry. Angiotensin II (Ang II) in serum and cardiac tissues was measured using ELISA assay. Besides, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin1β (IL-1β) and interleukin10 (IL-10) were observed in cardiac tissues with ELISA assay as well.ResultsThe administration of XJEK significantly improved cardiac dysfunction and abnormal ECG with reduced HW/BW ratio and ameliorated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and collagen deposition compared to MI, which was partly due to the decreased SOD and increased MDA in serum. Moreover, XJEK treatment also improved endothelial dysfunction (ED) with not only enhanced eNOS activities in serum and cardiac tissues and elevated NO levels in serum, but also decreased Ang II content in serum and cardiac tissues. Finally, protein expressions of pro-inflammation cytokines, TNF-α and IL-1β in the cardiac tissues with XJEK treatment were significantly decreased compared to model. On the contrary, IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine concentrated in cardiac tissues was significantly enhanced compared to model.ConclusionXinji′erkang exerts cardioprotective effect on myocardial infarction in mice, which may be due to the improvement of endothelial dysfunction and the reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation response.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12906-017-1846-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Protective effect of Xin‑Ji‑Er‑Kang on cardiovascular remodeling in high salt‑induced hypertensive mice

“…It has also been demonstrated that boosted Treg function ameliorates Ang II and aldosterone-induced hypertension, cardiac fibrosis, coronary inflammation, electrical remodeling and impaired endothelial-dependent vasodilatation, which are possibly mediated at least partially by IL-10 release from Tregs (50). Previous studies (32,51) have confirmed the key role of the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in cardiovascular remodeling and ED that often accompany hypertension, and restoring of this balance is crucial in the prevention of cardiovascular damage. Based on these findings, the present study demonstrated the presence of an immunological imbalance exists in the high salt-induced hypertensive mouse model, reflected by an increase in TNF-α and IL-1β and a decrease in IL-10 levels.…”

“…The dose of XJEK for the present study was based on the clinical dose, and was converted for mice according to pharmacology conversion formula (30). Furthermore, the dose of XJEK was considered based on our previous report (31,32) and with minor modifications according to different animal models.…”

Effects of oligomeric grape seed proanthocyanidins on L‐NAME‐induced hypertension in pregnant mice: Role of oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction

“…All pregnant mice were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (45 mg/kg, ip ) at the end of 3 weeks, then the neck was dissected, and the right common carotid artery isolated and cannulated with a polyethylene catheter connected to a Statham transducer. The carotid artery pressure was measured; afterwards the signals were recorded and analyzed on a four channel direct‐writing oscillograph (BL420S; Chengdu Techman Software Co. Ltd.) and digitally sampled (1 kHz) on a personal computer equipped with an analogue to digital interface (BL420S biological function experiment system) and analyzed as previously described (Hu et al, ).…”

“…Chengdu Techman Software Co. Ltd.) and digitally sampled (1 kHz) on a personal computer equipped with an analogue to digital interface (BL420S biological function experiment system) and analyzed as previously described (Hu et al, 2017).…”

Preventive effect of Agnucastoside C against Isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury

“…Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a worldwide health problem that very often leads to myocardial infarction (MI). In fact, MI, an acute condition of necrosis of myocardium is the most lethal manifestation of CAD that normally results when blood flow stops to a part of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscles 1 . This can be studied by examining the changes in different patho-physiological indices including electrocardiogram (ECG), serum levels of troponin-I, cardiac enzyme markers, and by imaging cardiac tissues 2 .…”