Berberine via upregulation of miR-29b promotes ischemia-induced angiogenesis and improves heart functions. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Berberine promotes ischemia-induced angiogenesis in mice heart via upregulation of microRNA-29b.
Clin Exp Hypertens. 2017 Jul 19:1-8. Epub 2017 Jul 19. PMID: 28722488
Mo-Li Zhu
BACKGROUND: Berberine has several preventive effects on cardiovascular diseases. Increased expression of miR-29b has been reported to attenuate cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). We hypothesized that berberine via an miR-29b-dependent mechanism promotes angiogenesis and improves heart functions in mice after MI.
METHODS: The MI model was established in mice by ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery. The expression of miR-29b was examined by RT-qPCR. Angiogenesis was assessed by immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS: Berberine increased miR-29b expression and promoted cell proliferations and migrations in cultured endothelial cells, which were abolished by miR-29b antagomir or AMP-activated protein kinase inhibitor compound C. In mice following MI, administration of berberine significantly increased miR-29b expressional level, promoted angiogenesis, reduced infarct size, and improved heart functions after 14 postoperative days. Importantly, these in vivo effects of berberine were ablated by antagonism of miR-29b.
CONCLUSION: Berberine via upregulation of miR-29b promotes ischemia-induced angiogenesis and improves heart functions.