Cardiac dysfunction is attenuated by ginkgolide B via reducing oxidative stress and fibrosis in diabetic rats

OBJECTIVE(S): Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a leading factor of high morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Our previous results revealed that ginkgolide B alleviates endothelial dysfunction in diabetic rats. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ginkgolide B on cardiac dysfunction and its mechanism in diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetes was induced in rats through the intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Hemodynamics was monitored to assess cardiac function. Oxidative stress was examined by detecting levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum, and expression of sirtuin (SIRT)1, heme oxygenase (HO)-1, and phosphorylated AMPK in the heart. Masson’s trichrome staining and expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and phosphorylated (p-) Smad2 and Smad3 were used to evaluate cardiac fibrosis. Inflammatory cytokine in serum and levels of p-PI3K, p-Akt, p-p38, and p-JNK in the heart were determined. RESULTS: Ginkgolide B significantly improved hemodynamics in diabetic rats. Compared with diabetic rats, treatment with ginkgolide B significantly decreased levels of inflammatory cytokines, improved oxidative stress via reducing MDA concentration, and elevating SOD activity in serum and increasing expression of SIRT1, HO-1, and p-AMPK. Further, ginkgolide B alleviated cardiac fibrosis by decreasing expression of TGF-β1, α-SMA, and p-Smad2 and p-Smad3. Meanwhile, ginkgolide B reduced Levels of p-P38, and p-JNK, and increased levels of p-PI3K and p-Akt. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that ginkgolide B alleviated cardiac dysfunction by reducing oxidative stress and cardiac fibrosis.