Hypercholesterolemia diets are considered as major sources to cause cardiac
hypertrophy. This study intends to evaluate the effects of Li-Fu formula on cardiac
hypertrophy induced by hypercholesterolemia diet. Twenty-four male Golden Syrian
hamsters at 3 months of age were randomly divided into Control, Cholesterol and
Li-Fu formula groups and fed with different experimental diets for 2 months.
Histopathological analysis and western blotting were performed to measure the
myocardial architecture, and expressions of different cardiac hypertrophy-associated
molecules in the excised left ventricle from hamsters. The ratios of Whole heart
weight (WHW)/Body weight (BW) and Left ventricle weight (LVW)/BW were
significantly higher in the Cholesterol group but significantly lower in the Li-Fu
formula group. The protein levels of both ANP and BNP were significantly increased
in the Cholesterol group but significantly reduced in the Li-Fu formula group.
Additionally, significantly increased interleukin (IL)-6, STAT3, MEK5, p-ERK5 and
non-cardiomyocyte proliferate signal molecules such as p-MEK and p-ERK, were
detected in the Cholesterol group but significantly reduced in the Li-Fu formula group.
Notably, no significant variations of inflammatory signaling molecules, including
p-P38 and p-JNK, were detected in all groups. Our experimental results demonstrate
the significant reductions of cardiac hypertrophy and related eccentric hypertrophy
signaling, non-cardiomyocyte proliferate signaling in the excised left ventricle of
hamsters from the Li-Fu formula. We suggested the protective effects of Li-Fu
formula on cardiac hypertrophy that may be useful in prevention or treatment of
hypertrophy-associated cardiovascular diseases.
關聯:
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (1):1-9
