Ventricular remodeling is an independent risk factor for many cardiovascular events. Inhibiting
ventricular remodeling early may be an effective way to postpone
heart failure for patients with cardiovascular illness. The study was designed to examine the effect of
sodium houttuyfonate on
ventricular remodeling induced by pressure overload in rats, as well as to explore the mechanisms involved. The model rats in which
ventricular remodeling was induced abdominal aortic banding (AAB) were randomly divided into 4 groups: AAB control, AAB plus
captopril (40 mg/kg), AAB plus low dose of
sodium houttuyfonate (50 mg/kg), and AAB plus high dose of
sodium houttuyfonate (100 mg/kg). One month after operation, hemodynamic parameters, heart mass indexes, size of cardiomyocytes, myocardial
collagen volume,
angiotensin II content in ventricular tissue, and serum concentrations of
aldosterone and
tumor necrosis factor (
TNF)-alpha were evaluated.
Sodium houttuyfonate significantly reduced heart mass indexes, the size of cardiomyocytes, and the myocardial
collagen volume and decreased the levels of
angiotensin II,
aldosterone, and
TNF-alpha. At the high dose, it decreased blood pressure and heart rate. In conclusion,
sodium houttuyfonate attenuates
ventricular remodeling induced by pressure overload in rats. The beneficial effects are in part associated with its alleviating the activation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and decreasing the
TNF-alpha level. Furthermore, its function seems to correlate with reduced blood pressure and heart rate.