Evodiamine Inhibits Angiotensin Ⅱ-Induced Rat Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy

Objective: To investigate the effects of evodiamine(Evo), a component of Evodiaminedia rutaecarpa(Juss.) Benth, on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ) and further explore the potential mechanisms. Methods: Cardiomyocytes from neonatal Sprague Dawley rats were isolated and characterized, and then the cadiomyocyte cultures were randomly divided into control, model(Ang Ⅱ 0.1 μmol/L), and Evo(0.03, 0.3, 3 μmol/L) groups. The cardiomyocyte surface area, protein level, intracellular free calcium([Ca]i) concentration, activity of nitric oxide synthase(NOS) and content of nitric oxide(NO) were measured, respectively. The m RNA expressions of atrial natriuretic factor(ANF), calcineurin(CaN), extracellular signal-regulated kinase-2(ERK-2), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase(e NOS) of cardiomyocytes were analyzed by real-time reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction. The protein expressions of calcineurin catalytic subunit(CnA) and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1(MKP-1) were detected by Western blot analysis. Results: Compared with the control group, Ang Ⅱ induced cardiomyocytes hypertrophy, as evidenced by increased cardiomyocyte surface area, protein content, and ANF m RNA expression; increased intracellular free calcium([Ca]i) concentration and expressions of CaN m RNA, CnA protein, and ERK-2 m RNA, but decreased MKP-1 protein expression(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with Ang Ⅱ, Evo(0.3, 3 μmol/L) significantly attenuated Ang Ⅱ-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, decreased the [Ca]i concentration and expressions of CaN m RNA, CnA protein, and ERK-2 m RNA, but increased MKP-1 protein expression(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Most interestingly, Evo increased the NOS activity and NO production, and upregulated the e NOS m RNA expression(P<0.05). Conclusion: Evo significantly attenuated Ang Ⅱ-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and this effect was partly due to promotion of NO production, reduction of [Ca]i concentration, and inhibition of CaN and ERK-2 signal transduction pathways.

Rutaecarpine Inhibits Intimal Hyperplasia in A Balloon-Injured Rat Artery Model

Objective： To investigate the effect and potential mechanisms of rutaecarpine （Rut） in a rat artery balloon-injury model. Methods： The intimal hyperplasia model was established by rubbing the endothelia with a balloon catheter in the common carotid artery （CCA） of rats. Fifty rats were randomly divided into five groups, ie. sham, model, Rut （25, 50 and 75 mg/kg） with 10 rats of each group. The rats were treated with or without Rut （25, 50, 75 mg/kg） by intragastric administration for 14 consecutive days following injury. The morphological changes of the intima were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） and smooth muscle （SM） oL-actin in the ateries were assayed by immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA expressions of c-myc, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 （ERK2）, MAPK phosphatase-1 （MKP-1） and endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS） were determined by real-time reverse chain reaction. The protein expressions of MKP-1 and phosphorylated ERK2 （p-ERK2） were examined by Western blotting. The plasma contents of nitric oxide （NO） and cyclic guanosine 3＇,5＇-monophosphate （cGMP） were also determined. Results： Compared with the model group, Rut treatment significantly decreased intimal thickening and ameliorated endothelial injury （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. The positive expression rate of PCNA was decreased, while the expression rate of SM α -actin obviously increased in the vascular wall after Rut （50 and 75 mg/kg） administration （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of c-myc, ERK2 and PCNA were downregulated while the expressions of eNOS and MKP-1 were upregulated （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. The protein expressions of MKP-1 and the phosphorylation of ERK2 were upregulated and downragulated after Rut （50 and 75 mg/kg） administration （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）, respectively. In addition, Rut dramatically reversed balloon injury-induced decrease of NO and cGMP in the plasma （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Rut could inhibit the balloon injury-induced carotid intimal hyperplasia in rats, possibly mediated by promotion of NO production and inhibiting ERK2 signal transduction pathways.