Matrine improves diabetic cardiomyopathy through TGF-β-induced protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase signaling pathway.

Background Matrine might play a vital role in cardiovascular diseases progression and treatment. Objectives We aimed to explore the protective effects and potential mechanism of matrine against diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) in rat model. Method A rat model of DCM was induced by streptozotocin, which were then divided into two groups and treated with matrine. Inflammatory cytokines were investigated in serum and myocardial cells after matrine administration. The effects of matrine on cardiac reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), PPAR gamma 1 activity were detected in myocardial cells. The protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) signal pathway in endoplasmic reticulum stress was studied to elaborated protective effects of matrine in DCM rat by Western blot analysis. Fasting blood glucose and hemodynamic parameters were analyzed after treatment with matrine. Results Matrine-inhibited expression levels of inflammatory cytokines of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 6. Matrine administration decreased ROS generation, MDA, and transforming growth factor beta levels, and Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta (PPAR beta) and Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 1 (PPAR gamma 1) activity. Matrine administration also significantly inhibited PERK expression. Endogenic expression of PERK canceled matrine-induced apoptosis of myocardial cells. Notably, treatment with matrine significantly decreased nonfasting blood glucose levels and improved hemodynamic parameters of DCM rat. Conclusions Matrine may be a promising agent for the treatment of DCM.