AUTHOR=Zhang Yi , Li Chun , Meng Hui , Guo Dongqing , Zhang Qian , Lu Wenji , Wang Qixin , Wang Yong , Tu Pengfei 

TITLE=BYD Ameliorates Oxidative Stress-Induced Myocardial Apoptosis in Heart Failure Post-Acute Myocardial Infarction via the P38 MAPK-CRYAB Signaling Pathway

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2018

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2018.00505

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2018.00505

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Aim:</bold> Heart failure (HF) post-acute myocardial infarction (AMI) contributes to increasing mortality and morbidity worldwide. Baoyuan decoction (BYD) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine formula that exhibits myocardial protection clinically. The aim of this study was to identify the effects of BYD on oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in HF post-AMI and characterize the underlying mechanism.</p><p><bold>Methods and Results:</bold> In our study, we constructed left anterior descending (LAD)-induced AMI rat models and a macrophage-conditioned media (CM)-induced H9C2 injury model. <italic>In vivo</italic>, BYD could protect cardiac functions, decrease inflammatory cell infiltration and inhibit oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. <italic>In vitro</italic>, BYD inhibited cellular apoptosis and regulated the expressions of key apoptotic molecules, including reducing the expression of B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) associated X protein (Bax) and cleaved caspase-3 and -9. Interestingly, the P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-αB-crystallin (CRYAB) signaling pathway was activated by BYD treatment, and the P38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 could reverse the protective effects of BYD.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> This study identified that BYD protected against oxidative stress-induced myocardial apoptosis via the P38 MAPK-CRYAB pathway. CRYAB may become a novel therapeutic target for AMI.</p>