Background People with diabetes are more likely to develop
cardiovascular diseases. Lipotoxicity plays a key role in the development of
diabetic cardiomyopathy. Panax notoginseng
saponin (PNS) has been used to treat diabetes and
obesity. However, the role of PNS in
diabetic cardiomyopathy remains unclear. Methods and Results Diabetic db/db mice received high-dose (200 mg/kg per day) or medium-dose (100 mg/kg per day) PNS by gavage for 12 weeks until week 36.
Lipid accumulation and cardiac function in diabetic mice were detected and possible mechanisms involved were explored. PNS significantly improved
body weight, body fat content, serum
lipids,
adipocytokines, and antioxidative function in db/db mice.
Lipid accumulation in adipose tissue, liver, and heart were also alleviated by PNS treatment. Cardiac function and mitochondrial structure were also improved by PNS. H9c2 cells were treated with
palmitate acid, and PNS pretreatment reduced
lipid accumulation, mitochondrial
reactive oxygen species, as well as improved mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate. Levels of
proteins and expression of genes related to
glucose and lipid metabolism, antioxidative function, and mitochondrial dynamics were also improved by PNS administration. Conclusions PNS attenuated heart dysfunction in diabetic mice by reducing lipotoxicity as well as modulating oxidative stress and improving mitochondrial function.