Yen-Mei Lee, P. Cheng, Lih-Shin Chim
Apr 26, 2011
Citations
2
Influential Citations
74
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
Journal of ethnopharmacology
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY To evaluate the protective effect of baicalein on myocardial dysfunction caused by endotoxaemia in rats and to explore the possible mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Baicalein (10mg/kg, intravenous) was administered to conscious Wistar rats 30min after lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 10mg/kg, intravenous) challenge. Six hours after LPS administration, the contractile function of the isolated heart was examined using the Langendorff technique. Cardiac protein expression related to inflammatory responses, superoxide anion production and caspase-3 activity were measured. RESULTS Post-treatment with baicalein significantly attenuated the LPS-induced hypotension with accompanying tachycardia. The contractile function of isolated heart was significantly preserved 6h after LPS administration, following treatment with baicalein. Furthermore, baicalein induced the expression of heme oxygenase-1 protein and reduced superoxide anion formation in the myocardium of LPS-treated rats. Cardiac levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, phospho-IκBα and phospho-p65 protein and caspase-3 activity significantly increased 6h after LPS challenge but baicalein significantly attenuated these LPS-induced changes. CONCLUSIONS Baicalein improves myocardial contractility in LPS-induced sepsis, which may be related to reductions in oxidative stress, myocardial inflammatory responses and apoptosis.