Parthenolide inhibits STAT3 signaling and attenuates angiotensin II-induced left ventricular hypertrophy via modulation of fibroblast activity

Parthenolide has shown promise in treatment of various cancers via inhibition of the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Activation of STAT3 has been observed in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH); however, its exact role is not known. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of parthenolide on pressure overload-induced LVH in rats. Pressure overload was induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion (33 μg/kg/h) for 1 week in the presence or absence of parthenolide (0.5mg/kg/day, i.p.). Ang II infusion resulted in LVH associated with increased phosphorylation of STAT3 at Tyr705 and Ser727. Parthenolide treatment had no effect on ejection fraction, but abolished the activation of STAT3 and reduced the Ang II-induced LVH (LV posterior wall thickness in end-diastole: 2.28 ± 0.12 mm vs. 1.80 ± 0.06 mm, P