Influence of simvastatin on the expressions of cardiac tumor necrosis factor-alpha and high mobility group protein-1 in septic rats and its mechanism

Objective To explore the mechanism of simvastatin in preventing myocardial injury in septic rats.Methods Forty-five male SD rats were randomly divided into 3groups:control group,sepsis group,simvastatin+sepsis group(observation group),with 15 rats in each group.Control group and sepsis group received gavage with normal saline for two weeks,and observation group received gavage with 20mg/kg simvastatin once a day for two weeks.Sepsis group and observation group were performed cecal ligation and puncture and control group received no treatment.The myocardial tissues were obtained and the pathological changes were observed 48 hours after operation.ELISA method was used to detect the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),Western blot was used to detect the expression of high mobility group protein-1(HMGB-1),and TUNEL method was used to detect myocardial apoptosis index(AI).Results HE staining showed myocardial fibers edema,osteoporosis,interstitial hyperemia/edema,increased collagen fibers,and partial endocardial endothelial edema in sepsis group.Observation group had less myocardial pathological changes than sepsis group.TNF-α,HMGB-1and AI were the highest in sepsis group((47.34±0.47)ng/L,(0.85±0.01)μg/L,(21.57±2.67)%),followed by those in observation group((28.16±1.40)ng/L,(0.42±0.02)μg/L,(7.82±1.04)%)and control group((21.54±0.83)ng/L,(0.20±0.03)μg/L,(2.58±0.82)%)in turns(P0.05).Conclusion Simvastatin can reduce the expressions of TNF-α,HMGB-1and AI of myocardial tissue of septic rats,and has a protective effect on myocardial inhibition.