The Protective Effect of Qishen Granule on Heart Failure after Myocardial Infarction through Regulation of Calcium Homeostasis

Figures

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  Figure 1. QSG could restore heart function and ameliorate myocardial fibrosis in HF rats after AMI. (a) Representative images of 2D echocardiogram in sham, model, QSG-L, QSG-H, and diltiazem groups. (b) Echocardiographic measurements of EF, FS, LVID; s, and LVID; d. QSG-L and QSG-H improved left ventricular EF and FS. (c) Masson staining indicated that QSG-L and QSG-H preserved cardiomyocyte structure and inhibited myocardial fibrosis. ##P < 0.01 and ###P < 0.001 vs. the sham group; ∗P < 0.05, ∗∗P < 0.01, and ∗∗∗P < 0.001 vs. the model group.

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  Figure 2. Effects of QSG on plasma indicators NE and AngII in HF rats after AMI. Plasma levels of NE (a) and AngII (b) in the five groups of rats were detected, respectively, by ELISA and RIA. QSG-L and QSG-H could decrease NE and AngII levels compared with the model group. Diltiazem had an effect similar to QSG-L and QSG-H groups. ##P < 0.01 and ###P < 0.001 vs. the sham group; ∗∗P < 0.01, ∗∗∗P < 0.001 vs. the model group.

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  Figure 3. Effects of QSG on expressions of CaV1.2 and SERCA2a in HF rats after AMI. (a) Immunohistochemistry images of CaV1.2 and quantitative results in the heart tissues of rats in different groups. (b) WB bands of CaV1.2 and its quantitative results in the heart tissues of rats. (c) WB bands of SERCA2a and its quantitative results in the heart tissues of rats. IHC and WB results showed that the expression of CaV1.2 in the model group was upregulated compared with the sham group. QSG-L and QSG-H could decrease levels of CaV1.2 compared with the model group. Western blot showed that the expression of SERCA2a in the model group was downregulated compared with the sham group. QSG-L and QSG-H could increase protein levels of SERCA2a significantly compared with the model group. ###P < 0.001 vs. the sham group; ∗P < 0.05, ∗∗P < 0.01, and ∗∗∗P < 0.001 vs. the model group.

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  Figure 4. Effects of QSG on expressions of CaMKII and CaN in HF rats after AMI. (a) WB bands of CaMKII and its quantitative results in heart tissues of rats. (b) WB bands of CaN and its quantitative results in heart tissues of rats. Western blot showed that the expressions of CaMKII and CaN in the model group were upregulated compared with the sham group. QSG-L and QSG-H could decrease levels of CaMKII and CaN compared with the model group. ##P < 0.01 and ###P < 0.001 vs. the sham group; ∗P < 0.05, ∗∗P < 0.01, and ∗∗∗P < 0.001 vs. the model group.

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  Figure 5. Potential mechanism of QSG efficacy on HF rats. QSG improved heart function and decreased cardiac remodeling by regulating the calcium signaling pathway. QSG ameliorated cytoplasmic Ca2+ overload in the cardiac cells, manifested by downregulation of CaV1.2 and upregulation of the SERCA2a and further confirmed by inhibition of CaMKII and CaN after QSG treatment.