Shenfuqiangxin Capsule inhibits apoptosis through mitogen-activated protein kinase signal pathway in rats with cardio-renal syndrome induced by infrarenal aortic-clamping

Abstract OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of Shenfuqiangxin capsule and the underlying mechanism on cardio-renal syndrome (CRS) in rats induced by infrarenal aortic-clamping after renal ischaemia. METHODS Male Wistar rats underwent infrarenal aortic-clamping after renal ischaemia or sham operation. The surviving CRS rats were divided randomly into three groups: CRS group (CRS + 10 mL · kg −1 · d −1 pure water by gavage), SFQX group (CRS +13.2 g crude drug · kg −1 · d −1 Shenfuqiangxin by gavage), and handle region peptide (HRP) group (CRS + 10mg/kg HRP by vein). Sham operation rats were given 10 mL · kg −1 · d −1 pure water. Treatments were given 8 weeks after surgery, which lasted for 4 weeks. The rats were detected for heart structure and function by transthoracic echocardiography. PPR mRNA was detected by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). To determine whether the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal pathway is included in the heart and kidney protective function of Shenfuqiangxin capsule, MAPK related proteins such as posophorylated C-Jun amino terminal kinase (p-JNK), posophorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase ½ (p-ERK1/2), posophorylated p38 (p-p38) were examined by Western Blot. Apoptosis in heart and kidney tissues were detected by dUTP Nick End Labeling staining. RESULTS Shenfuqiangxin capsule alleviated myocardial apoptosis and inhibited PRR mRNA expression and p-JNK, p-ERK1/2, p-p38 proteins expression in CRS rats. CONCLUSION All the results suggest that Shenfuqiangxin capsule improves the injured heart and kidney function maybe through inhibition of MAPK response pathway.