Effect of berberine on the atrial natriuretic peptide secretion in cardiac atria (1150.9)

Abstract

Effect of Berberine on the Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Secretion in Cardiac AtriaHye Rim Yoo 1,2, Hye Yoom Kim 1,2, Oh Jeong Kwon 1,2, Kyung Woo Cho 2, Dae Gill Kang 1,2, and Ho Sub Lee 1,2*1College of Oriental Medicine and Professional Graduate School of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk 570‐749, Republic of Korea; 2Hanbang Body‐fluid Research Center, Wonkwang University, Shinyong‐dong, Iksan, Jeonbuk, 570‐749, Republic of KoreaThe aim of the present study is to identify the effects of berberine on the secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) from the atrium. Experiments were performed in perfused beating rat left atria paced electrically. Atrial dynamics, atrial pulse pressure, was measured with physiograph. ANP was measured using radioimmunoassay. As a result, berberine increased ANP secretion and atrial dynamics in a concentration‐ dependent manner. Atropine‐non‐selective muscarinic receptor antagonist, methoctramine‐selective M2 muscarinic receptor antagonist, and hemicholinium 3‐inhibitor of choline transporter which inhibits acetylcholine synthesis had no effects on the berberine‐induced changes in ANP secretion and pulse pressure. Berberine is known to activate AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), experiments were performed to identify involvements of this possibility on the berberine‐induced changes in ANP secretion and pulse pressure. Compound C, an inhibitor of AMPK activation, slightly inhibited the berberine‐induced increase in ANP secretion and pulse pressure. These findings suggest that berberine increases ANP secretion and atrial pulse pressure via, at least in part, activation of AMPK signaling.