Inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B pathway protects myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats under treatment with abnormal savda munziq.

Objective: Uighur medicine Fufang Munziq granule (Munziq) [corrected] shows cardioprotective effect in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) in animal models, but the molecular mechanism of this effect is not clear. The present study investigates the regulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) pathway by Fufang Munziq granule (Munziq) in IRI rat models.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: the NF-κB gene knockout group (n = 5); the NF-κB transgenic group (n = 8); and the control group (n = 5). All rats were treated with Fufang Munziq granule (Munziq) [corrected] for 21 days before underwent IRI surgical procedure. Blood and tissue samples were collected for the RT-PCR, ELISA, western blot and other examination.

Results: Expression of NF-κB p65mRNA and protein were down-regulated in the NF-κB knockout rats but up-regulated in the transgenic rats comparing with the controls (P<0.05). The upstream NF-κB kinase expressions, the downstream inflammatory cytokines, and the myocardial injury markers were all changed in accordance with the NF-κB gene modification (all values <0.05). AMSq treatment relieved IRI in the NF-κB knockout rats.

Conclusion: Inhibition on NF-κB signaling pathway may alleviate IRI in rats under Fufang Munziq granule (Munziq) [corrected] treatment.