Astragaloside IV improves myocardial injury in rats with insulin-resistant heart failure

Heart failure is a common cardiovascular condition, with insulin resistance emerging as the predominant risk factor associated with its development. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is one of the important active components of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, and this drug has been reported to participate in heart failure progression. Nevertheless, the regulatory effects and related mechanisms of AS-IV in heart failure with insulin resistance have not been fully elucidated. In vitro experiments, groups were separated into the Con, almitic acid (PA), PA + AS-IV 0.25 µM, PA + AS-IV 0.5 µM, PA + AS-IV 1 µM and PA + Metoprolol groups. In vivo experiments, groups were separated into the Control, Abdominal aorta coarctation (AAC), AAC + AS-IV (20 mg/kg), AAC + AS-IV (40 mg/kg), AAC + AS-IV (80 mg/kg) and AAC + Metoprolol groups. In this study, it was illustrated that AS-IV improved cell viability in H9c2 cells triggered by PA. Furthermore, AS-IV improved the heart function in rats with heart failure caused by insulin resistance. AS-IV demonstrated the ability to reduce damage to the heart muscle. Subsequently, it was observed that AS-IV eased insulin resistance and reduced inflammation. Finally, research confirmed that AS-IV inhibited the p38 pathway and activated the protein kinase B (Akt) pathway both in vivo and in vitro settings. In summary, the findings of this study indicate that AS-IV has the potential to enhance heart function in cases of insulin-resistant heart failure, both in experimental and laboratory conditions.

Astragaloside IV; Myocardial injury; Insulin-resistant heart failure; The p38 pathway

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