OBJECTIVETo study the effects of different doses of berberine on hemodynamic parameters and calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) of diastole heart failure rat models.

METHODThe mouse models of diastole heart failure were made by the imcomplete ligation of abdominal aorta. Forty Wistar heart failure rats were divided randomly into four groups, with 10 for each group (n = 10). Heart failure rats were treated according to different doses drugs as follows: Model (natrii chloride 2 mL), berberine (63 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), berberine (42 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), berberine (21 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) ig, for each of the four groups respectively, 4 weeks after coarctation of ascending aorta operation; and 10 age matched sham operation group was taken as control (natrii chloridi, 2 mL). After administration four weeks, cardiac function was determined by catheter. Isolate single cardiomyocytes of rat which were loaded with Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent indicator Fluo-3/AM. [Ca2+]i represented by fluorescent intensity [FI] was measured by laser scanning cofocal microscope [LSCM].

RESULTThe rats of operation group have no significant changes with those of the control on left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) and maximal rising rate of ventricular pressure (+dp/dt(max)), left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was much higher in operation group (P < 0.01), but maximal falling rate of ventricular pressure (-dp/dt(max)) was depressed (P < 0.01), left ventricular relax time constant quantity (T) was markedly extended (P < 0.01). [Ca2+]i level in carkiac muscle cell was elevated markedly (P < 0.05). Compared with operation group, high dose of Ber can decrease LEVDP, improve (-dp/dt(max)) (P < 0.01), decurtate left ventricular relax time constant quantity (P < 0.01) and decrease [Ca2+]i level better than those of middle and low dose group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBerberine is an effective new potent drug for conspicuous symptom relief of heart failure with positive dose dependency and step down [Ca2+]i of myocardial cell.