[Effects of fasudil on isoproterenol induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats]

To investigate the effects and mechanisms of fasudil (Fas) on cardiac hypertrophy (CH) induced by isoprenaline(Iso) in rats.Except for the normal control group, the rest three groups rats were injected subcutaneously with Iso(5mg/kg) for setting up CH model. SD rats were randomly divided into four groups:Normal control group, Iso model group, Fas with low-dose group (5 mg/kg, i.p) and Fas with high-dose group (20 mg/kg, i.p). Animals were treated with Fas for 8 weeks. After the treatment, the following index were detected:heart rate (HR), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), left ventricular systolic maximum rate (+dp/dtCompared with normal control group, HR and LVEDP wereincreased significantly, while LVSP and ±dp/dtmax were decreased significantly; HWI was increased significantly in CH group; The myocardial cell volume and the cell gap were increased,cells arranged disorder, and severe myocardial interstitial fibrosis was presented in CH group. The expression of ERK1/2 mRNA was significantly increased. After Fas treatment, the systolic and diastolic functions of heart were improved, cell volume was reduced, cell gap became small, cells arranged in neat rows, and the fibrosis was significantly reduced. The expressions of RhoA, ERK1/2 mRNA were significantly reduced. The damages of myocardial tissue were improved in different degrees.ERK1/2 signaling pathway is involved in Iso induced CH. Fas protects against the CH of rats induced by Iso, which mechanisms may be related with blocking ERK1/2 signaling pathway.