Abstract:

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the potential myocardial protective effects of Fasudil in a rat model of adriamycin-induced myocardial injury. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats（n=32） were randomly divided into groups that received no treatment， adriamycin， adriamycin+Fasudil （2.5 mg per kg per day），or adriamycin+Fasudil （10 mg per kg per day），8 rats in every group. Blood samples were collected from animals at baseline and on days 3，15 and 20 after treatment began. Serum levels of NT-pro BNP，H-FABP and cTnI were measured by ELISA，and the degree of myocardial injury was determined based on histopathology. Results In animals treated with adriamycin， levels of NT-pro BNP， H-FABP and cTnI were significantly higher at the three time points after treatment than at baselin（P<0.05）. In animals treated with adriamycin and either dose of Fasudil， levels of the three serum markers were also significantly higher at the three time points after treatment than at baseline；however， the levels decreased during follow-up，such that they were significantly lower on day 20 than on day 3（P<0.05）.  Myocardial pathology scores were significantly higher in all treatment groups than in the control group， but scores in animals treated with adriamycin together with either dose of Fasudil were significantly lower than scores in animals treated with adriamycin alone （P<0.05）. Between the two groups treated with Fasudil， pathology score was significantly lower with the higher dose than with the lower one （P<0.05）. Conclusion Fasudil may help protect against adriamycin-induced myocardial injury in a rat model.

Key words: Fasudil, Adriamycin, Rat, Myocardial injury, Myocardial protection