Allicin Improve Myocardial Fibrosis by Regulation Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1/3 and Matrix Metalloprotein-8 Expression

Abstract

Objective: To explore the improvement of Allicin on myocardial fibrosis and expression of MAPK1/2 and MMP-8 in rats. Methods : Dividing 30 SD rats into 3 groups, normal control, model and Allicin treatment based on model (Allicin) groups. Using 40 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) to make diabetes model. The the NC and Model groups' rats received daily intraperitoneal injections of saline, and those in Allicin group was given Allicin (40 mg/kg) injections. After 8 weeks, the pathologies of cardiac fibrosis were examined with HE staining and Masson staining, the proteins expressions of collagen I, MAPK1/3 and MMP-8 were analyzed with WB and IHC assay. Results: Compared with NC group, the Model rats showed increased collagen content and obvious interstitial fibrosis in the myocardial tissue with significantly increased expression levels of collagen I, MAPK1/3 and MMP-8 (P < 0 001, respectively); all the changes were obviously reversed by treatment with Allicin (P < 0 001). Collagen I, MAPK1/3 and MMP-8 expression levels and the degree of myocardial fibrosis were comparable between Allicin group and NC group (P > 0 05). Conclusion: Allicin could improve cardiac fibrosis in diabetic rats, and the mechanism might involve the inhibition of MAPK1/3/MMP-8 signal pathway.