Effects of Cordyceps sinensis on the Expressions of NF-κB and TGF-β1 in Myocardium of Diabetic Rats

Objective. To investigate the effect of Cordyceps sinensis (CS) on the expressions of NF-κB and TGF-β1 in myocardium of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods. A total of 53 healthy male SD rats, mice age of 8 weeks and weight of 220 ± 20 g, were randomly divided into five groups by randomized block design: normal control group (n = 10), diabetic group (n = 10), low dose of CS group (n = 12; CS 0.6 g·kg(−1)·d(−1)), middle dose of CS group (n = 11; CS 2.5 g·kg(−1)·d(−1)), and high dose of CS group (n = 10; CS 5 g·kg(−1)·d(−1)). The diabetic models with tail intravenous injection by streptozotocin (45 mg·kg(−1)). Diabetic rats were sacrificed after 8 weeks; the expressions of NF-κB and TGF-β1 proteins and mRNA in the cardiac muscle were determined by using immunohistochemistry staining and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. The data were analyzed using one factor analysis of variance. Result. The expressions of NF-κB and TGF-β1 proteins and mRNA in the cardiac muscle of diabetic rats were significantly raised (P < 0.05), which could be decreased by CS (P < 0.05). Conclusions. The changes on the expressions of NF-κB and TGF-β1 in myocardium may be involved in the occurrence of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DC). CS may play its role on myocardial protection by regulating the expressions of NF-κB and TGF-β1 in myocardium.