Silymarin ameliorates diabetic cardiomyopathy via inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad signaling.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Previous studies have shown that the transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling pathway plays a key role in the development of myocardial fibrosis in DCM. Silymarin (SMN) is used clinically to treat liver disorders and acts by influencing TGF-β1. However, the possible effects of silymarin on DCM remain to be elucidated. In our study, the DM animal model was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) injection. Fasting blood glucose level was measured, and the structure and function of the heart were measured by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson staining, echocardiography, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Western blot was used to detect the expression of TGF-β1, Smad2/3, phosphorylation Smad2/3(p-Smad2/3), and Smad7. Our results showed that silymarin downregulated blood glucose level and significantly improved cardiac fibrosis and collagen deposition in DM rats detected by H&E, Masson staining, and TEM assays. The echocardiography results showed that silymarin administration attenuated cardiac dysfunction in DM rats. Additionally, compared with untreated DM rats, levels of TGF-β1 and p-Smad2/3 were decreased, whereas Smad7 was increased following silymarin administration. These data demonstrate that silymarin ameliorates DCM through the inhibition of TGF-β1/Smad signaling, suggesting that silymarin may be a potential target for DCM treatment.

Meng S ，Yang F ，Wang Y ，Qin Y ，Xian H ，Che H ，Wang L ... -  《-》

Shensong Yangxin Capsule prevents diabetic myocardial fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad signaling.

Shensong Yangxin Capsule (SSYX), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has long been used clinically to treat arrhythmias in China. However, the effect of SSYX on interstitial fibrosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy is unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of SSYX on myocardial fibrosis in diabetic rats. The antifibrotic effect of SSYX was investigated in streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats with high fat-diet (HFD). Fasting blood glucose, heart weight/body weight (HW/BW) ratio, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were measured. Echocardiography and histology examination were carried out to evaluate heart function. Expressions of Smad7, TGF-β1, collagen I (col-1), collagen III (col-3), MMP-2, MMP-9 and α-SMA mRNA in heart tissues were measured by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). TGF-β1, Smad2/3, p-Smad2/3 and Smad7 protein levels were measured by western blot analysis. Proliferation of cardiac fibroblast was detected via immunofluorescence. SSYX markedly decreased HW/BW ratio and improved the impaired cardiac function of type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), haematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson staining results showed that SSYX attenuated cardiac fibrosis and collagen deposition in T2DM rats. Moreover, mRNA levels of TGF-β1, col-1, col-3, MMP-2, MMP-9 and α-SMA were downregulated, whereas Smad7 expression was upregulated after treatment with SSYX in rats with cardiac fibrosis. Furthermore, SSYX decreased protein levels of TGF-β1 and p-Smad2/3, and increased Smad7 expression. TGF-β1/Smad signaling is involved in the cardiac fibrosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy and SSYX inhibits fibrosis and improves cardiac function via suppressing this pathway. Therefore, SSYX might be considered as an alternative therapeutic remedy for diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Shen N ，Li X ，Zhou T ，Bilal MU ，Du N ，Hu Y ，Qin W ，Xie Y ，Wang H ，Wu J ，Ju J ，Fang Z ，Wang L ，Zhang Y ... -  《-》

[Activation of transforming growth factor-beta1/Smads signal pathway in diabetic cardiomyopathy and effects of valsartan thereon: experiment with rats].

Miao Y ，Zhang W ，Zhong M ，Ma X ，Qi TG ，Sun H ... -  《-》

Melatonin Ameliorates Liver Fibrosis Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride in Rats via Inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad Signaling Pathway.

Wang YR ，Hong RT ，Xie YY ，Xu JM ... -  《-》

Role of increased penile expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 and activation of the Smad signaling pathway in erectile dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Zhang LW ，Piao S ，Choi MJ ，Shin HY ，Jin HR ，Kim WJ ，Song SU ，Han JY ，Park SH ，Mamura M ，Kim SJ ，Ryu JK ，Suh JK ... -  《-》