Effect of the expression of tanshinone IIA on myocardial transforming growth factor-β_1 in pressure-overload rats

Objective To explore the protective effects of tanshinone(Tan) Ⅱ A on myocardial fibrosis.Methods Models of myocardial fibrosis were established in 60 SD rats induced by the abdominal aorta constriction preparation,and 24 rats of which were survived and randomly divided into sham operation group,model group and Tan Ⅱ A group(20 mg/(kg·d)),with 8 rats in each group.The models were successfully established 4 weeks after operation.The heart mass index,histopathological changes,myocardial hydroxyproline content and myocardial ransforming growth factor(TGF)-β1 expression were measured after four weeks of Tan Ⅱ A treatment.Results The heart mass index,myocardial hydroxyproline content and myocardial TGF-β1 level were obviously higher in model group than those in sham operation group and Tan Ⅱ A group(P0.01).Conclusion Tan Ⅱ A can inhibit cardiac hypertrophy and attenuate myocardial fibrosis,which may be associated with the downregulation of the expression of TGF-β1.