Silymarin Administration Attenuates Cirrhotic-induced Cardiac Abnormality in the Rats: A Possible Role of β-adrenergic Receptors and L-type Voltage-Dependent Calcium Channels.

Background: Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is a well-recognized cardiac dysfunction in cirrhotic patients. Studies have confirmed the protective effects of silymarin in different types of cardiac injury. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness and molecular mechanism of silymarin against myocardial dysfunction and hypertrophy in a rat model of cirrhosis.

Angiotensin II in paraventricular nucleus contributes to sympathoexcitation in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury by AT1 receptor and oxidative stress.

Background: To investigate the effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) on renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury and to assay the role of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA).

Methods: A cannula was inserted into the right side PVN in Sprague-Dawley rats for microinjection of Ang II (3, 30, and 300 ng); Ang II AT1 receptor antagonist, losartan (0.3 μg); and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic, tempol (20 nmol) before right side nephrectomy.