Effects of Enalapril on TLR2/NF- κ B Signaling Pathway and Inflammatory Factors in Rabbits with Chronic Heart Failure

Abstract

Chronic heart failure (CHF) refers to the state of persistent heart failure, which is a complex clinical syndrome of various advanced heart diseases. The toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)/nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) signal transduction pathway is one of the pathological mechanisms of CHF. Adriamycin can significantly induce the upregulation of TLR2 expression. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) are commonly used drugs for the treatment of CHF. In our study, the CHF model was established by injection of doxorubicin into the rabbit ear vein. The effect of enalapril on the TLR2/NF-κB signaling pathway in CHF rabbits has been analyzed and determined. Our research results showed that enalapril reduced the inflammatory response by inhibiting the activation of the TLR2/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby improving cardiac structure, myocardial remodeling, and cardiac function.

Figure 1

Changes of left ventricular function indexes of rabbits in every group after the experiment. Note: compared with the normal control group, ^∗P < 0.05; compared with the model group, ^ΔP < 0.05.

Figure 2

Changes of left ventricular morphological indexes of rabbits in every group after the experiment. Note: compared with the normal control group, ^∗P < 0.01 and ^∗∗P < 0.01; compared with the model group, ^ΔP < 0.05 and ^ΔΔP < 0.01.

Figure 3

Effects of Enalapril on HWI and LVWI in rabbits. Note: Compared with the normal control group, ^∗P < 0.01 and ^∗∗P < 0.01; compared with the model group, ^ΔΔP < 0.01.

Figure 4

Expression of TLR2 and NF-κB protein (gray value ratio) in myocardium of rabbits in every group after the experiment. Note: compared with the normal control group, ^∗∗P < 0.01; compared with the model group, ^ΔP < 0.05.

Figure 5

Electrophoretogram of NF-κB and TLR2 protein expression in myocardium of rabbits in every group.

Figure 6

Changes of serum NT-proBNP, TNF-α and MMP-9 levels in rabbits of every group after the experiment. Note: compared with the normal control group, ^∗P < 0.05 and ^∗∗P < 0.01; compared with the model group, ^ΔP < 0.05 and ^ΔΔP < 0.01.