Interference Effect Of Tanshinoneâ…±a On Myocardial Fibrosis In Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Objective : To study the effects of Tanshinone on myocardial fibrosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR)and its mechanism.Methods:Twenty four male SHR were randomly divided into positive control group, Tanshinone group and Valsartan group. Eight male Wistar rats were as a normal control group. After 4 weeks intervention, blood pressure of the rat tail, weight of myocardium were measured,the collagen density in the myocardial tissues were calculated by VG staining and the expression of TIMP-2, MMP-2,MMP-9 mRNA were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results: The blood pressure, ventricular mass and ventricular mass index of positive control group were higher than other groups (P<0.05). The collagen content and expressions of TIMP-2, MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA in positive control group also increased significantly than that in other groups (P<0.05).After 4 weeks intervention, the blood pressure(P<0.01), ventricular mass and ventricular mass index(P<0.05) of Tanshinone group and Valsartan group were lower than positive control group. The collagen content and expressions of TIMP-2, MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA in Tanshinone group and Valsartan group also decreased significantly than that in positive control groups (P<0.05).Conclusion: Tanshinone could depress blood pressure and inhibit myocardial hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis of SHR ,which may be by suppressing the expression of MMP-2,MMP-9,TIMP-2 and improving the balance of TIMPs and MMPs.