Expression of Myocardial CTGF in Rats with Pressure Overload and Effect of Tanshinone IIA

Objective: To observe the changes of connective tissue growth factor( CTGF) expression in rat myocardial tissue with pressure overload,and to explore the protective effects of Tanshinone II A( Tan II A) on myocardial fibrosis.Methods: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley( SD) rats induced by the abdominal aorta constriction preparation were randomly divided into following apporches( n = 8) : model group( Model group),Tan II A group [TanⅡA group 20 mg( / kg·d) ] and positive captopril group[captopril group 100 mg /( kg d) ]. The matched age SD sham operation( n = 8) was as control. The model of pressure overload-induced myocardial fibrosis was successfully established after 4 weeks of operation. After four weeks of Tan II A treatment,cardiac mass index,left ventricular mass index,histopathological,myocardial hydroxyproline content,myocardial CTGF expression were measured. Results: ①Compared with sham group,cardiac mass index and left ventricular mass index were increased in Model group( P 0. 01); Compared with Model group,these indexes were decreased in Tan II A group( P 0. 01). ②Compared with sham group,myocardial hydroxyproline content was increased in Model group( P 0. 01); Compared with Model group,Tan II A had significantly reduced myocardial hydroxyproline content( P 0. 01). ③Compared with sham group,CTGF protein content of myocardial tissue was increased in Model group( P 0. 01); Compared with Model group,Tan II A had significantly reduced the expression of CTGF. Conclusions: Tan II A can inhibit cardiac hypertrophy,attenuate myocardial fibrosis,and this effect may be associated with down-regulation of the expression of fibrogenic cytokines CTGF.