The mechanism of irbesartan against diabetes induced myocardial fibrosis in rat model

Abstract

To observe the protective effect of irbesartan on myocardial fibrosis in diabetic rats, and analyze the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in this protection. Thirty two male SD rats were randomly divided into two groups:normal control group (CON, n=10), experimental group (n=22). Twenty diabetic rats which had modelled successfully were randomly divided into two groups:diabetic group (DM, n=10), irbesartan + DM group (Ir+DM, n=10). After 8 weeks, fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, body weight (BW), the ratio of heart weight/body weight (H/B) and left ventricular weight index (LVWI) were measured. The myocardial morphological and fibrotic changes were observed by Masson staining. Col I and col Ⅲ contents were evaluated using ELISA method, and the protein expressions of ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2 in heart tissue were tested by Western blot. Compared with CON group, in diabetic rats, the levels of FBG, H/B and LVWI were increased while BW was decreased. The contents of col I and col Ⅲ were increased as well as the protein expression of p-ERK1/2 and the ratio of p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2(P<0.05,P<0.01), which had the statistic differences, while ERK1/2 protein expression was not changed. Masson staining showed myocardial collagen was increased, arranged in disorder and uneven distribution. However, in Ir+ DM group, BW was increased obviously, H/B, LVWI, the contents of col I and col Ⅲ were decreased significantly (P<0.05,P<0.01), p-ERK1/2 protein expression and the ratio of p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 were decreased (P<0.01), which had the statistic differences. Meanwhile myocardial morphology was improved significantly. Diabetes can induce the happening of myocardial fibrosis, and irbesartan can induce the damage of myocardial fibrosis through inhibitting the activation of ERK.