Effect of tanshinone II A on expression of myocardial NF-κB in rats with pressure overload

Objective To observe the effect of tanshinone ⅡA( Tan Ⅱ A) on expression of myocardial NF-κB in rats with pressure overload,and to explore its protective effects on myocardial fibrosis. Methods The pressure overload myocardial fibrosis models were established by abdominal aorta constriction in Sprague-Dawley( SD) rats,these rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham- operation group,model group,Tan Ⅱ A group( 20mg·kg- 1·d- 1) and positive control group( captopril 100mg·kg- 1·d- 1),with 8 rats in each group. 4 weeks after the operation,the animal models were successfully established,then the rats were given drugs,with a course of 4 weeks. After 8 weeks,left ventricular mass index, myocardial tissue pathological changes,myocardial hydroxyproline content,myocardial NF-κB p65 expression were detected in rats of the four groups. Results As compared with those in sham- operation group,cardiac mass index and left ventricular mass index were significantly increased in model group( P 0. 01); as compared with those in model group,these indexes were obviously decreased in Tan Ⅱ A group( P 0. 01). As compared with that in sham- operation group,myocardial hydroxyproline content was significantly increased in model group( P 0. 01),however,as compared with that in model group,myocardial hydroxyproline content was obviously decreased in Tan Ⅱ A group( P 0. 01). As compared with those in sham- operation group,NF-κB p65 protein expression levels in myocardial tissues were significantly increased in model group( P 0. 01),however,as compared with those in model group,which were significantly decreased in Tan Ⅱ A group( P 0. 01). Conclusion Tan Ⅱ A can inhibit cardiac hypertrophy,relieve myocardial fibrosis,and the effect may be related to down- regulation of the expression of NF-κB.