Butein attenuates cardiac fibrosis by mediating TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway after myocardial infarction.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Myocardial fibrosis has been found to accelerate heart dysfunction after myocardial infarction (MI). Butein is a chalcone compound possessing multiple biological properties. However, its effect on MI-induced myocardial fibrosis remains unclear. METHODS: A mouse MI model was established by left anterior descending ligation. Human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs) were stimulated with TGF-β1 in vitro. Mouse cardiac function was evaluated by assessing EF and FS. Masson's trichrome staining showed the fibrosis area in murine hearts. Western blotting evaluated protein levels of fibrosis markers and signaling-related markers. CCK-8, EdU, and Transwell assays were used to evaluate HCF proliferation and migration. RESULTS: Butein improved MI-induced cardiac dysfunction and reduced the fibrosis area in mice. Butein inactivated TGF-β1/Smad signaling in MI mice and TGF-β1-stimulated HCFs. Butein inhibited TGF-β1-induced proliferation, migration, and collagen synthesis in HCFs, which were similar to the effects of LY2109761, a pharmacological inhibitor of TGF-β signaling. CONCLUSION: Butein mitigated MI development by inhibiting cardiac fibrosis and ECM deposition by inactivating the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.