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Attenuated cardiac mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic effects by li-fu formula in hamsters fed with a hypercholesterol
Wei-Wen Kuo1, Tsai-Ching Hsu, Mei-Haung Chain
1Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taiwan.
Insights
Li-Fu formula reduces cardiac apoptosis and fibrosis in hamsters fed a high-cholesterol diet. It also enhances the insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) survival pathway, suggesting cardiovascular disease protective effects.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular biology
- Cellular and molecular medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Apoptosis (programmed cell death) plays a critical role in the development of cardiac abnormalities.
- Hypercholesterolemia is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, often involving cardiac cellular damage.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas are increasingly investigated for their therapeutic potential in cardiovascular conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of the Li-Fu formula against cardiac apoptosis induced by a hypercholesterol diet.
- To evaluate the impact of Li-Fu formula on cardiac fibrosis and survival pathways.
- To assess the therapeutic potential of Li-Fu formula in a high-cholesterol model of cardiovascular disease.
Main Methods:
- A hypercholesterol diet was administered to Golden Syrian hamsters, divided into Control, Cholesterol, and Li-Fu formula groups.
- Histopathological analysis, Western blotting, and TUNEL assays were used to examine left ventricular tissue.
- Assessment included evaluation of apoptosis, fibrosis, collagen deposition, myofibril structure, and IGF-I receptor signaling.
Main Results:
- Li-Fu formula significantly reduced TUNEL-positive cells and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in the left ventricle compared to the Cholesterol group.
- The formula mitigated fibrosis, decreased collagen deposition, and improved myofibril disarray.
- Upregulation of the insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-I)-dependent survival pathway was observed in the Li-Fu formula group.
Conclusions:
- Li-Fu formula demonstrates significant cardioprotective effects by reducing apoptosis and fibrosis in a high-cholesterol environment.
- The formula promotes cardiac health through the enhancement of IGF-I-mediated survival signaling.
- Li-Fu formula holds therapeutic potential for managing cardiovascular diseases associated with hypercholesterolemia.
Abstract:
Apoptosis involves in the pathogenesis of various cardiac abnormalities. This study intends to evaluate the effects of Li-Fu formula on cardiac apoptosis induced by hyper-cholesterol diet. Twenty-four male Golden Syrian hamsters were randomly divided into Control, Cholesterol and Li-Fu formula groups. Histopathological analysis, western blotting and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays were performed to measure the effects of Li-Fu formula on left ventricle. Significantly reduced TUNEL-positive cells and mitochondria- dependent apoptosis were observed in the left ventricle of hamsters from Li-Fu formula group compared to the Cholesterol group. Additionally, induced cardiac insulin like growth factor I receptor (IGFIR)-dependent survival pathway was detected in the Li-Fu formula group compared to the Cholesterol group. Besides, minor fibrosis, increased collagen deposition, and myofibril disarray was detected in the Cholesterol group, whereas the reductions of collagen deposition and myofibril disarray were observed in the Li-Fu formula group. This study demonstrated that Li-Fu formula not only reduced the mitochondria-dependent apoptosis and fibrosis, but also enhanced the IGF-I survival pathway in the left ventricle from high cholesterol-fed hamsters. We suggest the protective effects of Li-Fu formula on cardiac apoptosis and therapeutic potentials against cardiovascular disease.
