Xuebijing injection protects sepsis induced myocardial injury by mediating TLR4/NF-κB/IKKα and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways

Objective: Compelling evidence has demonstrated that Xuebijing (XBJ) exerted protective effects against SIMI. The aims of this study were to investigate whether TLR4/IKKα-mediated NF-κB and JAK2/STAT3 pathways were involved in XBJ's cardio-protection during sepsis and the mechanisms. Methods: In this study, rats were randomly assigned to three groups: Sham group; CLP group; XBJ group. Rats were treated with XBJ or sanitary saline after CLP. Echocardiography, myocardial enzymes and HE were used to detect cardiac function. IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in serum were measured using ELISA kits. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis were tested by TUNEL staining. The protein levels of Bax, Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, Cleaved-Caspase 3, Cleaved-Caspase 9, Cleaved-PARP, TLR4, p-NF-κB, p-IKKα, p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 in the myocardium were assayed by western blotting. And finally, immunofluorescence was used to assess the level of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 in heart tissue. Results: The results of echocardiography, myocardial enzyme and HE test showed that XBJ could significantly improve SIMI. The IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in the serum were markedly lower in the XBJ group than in the CLP group (p<0.05). TUNEL staining's results showed that XBJ ameliorated CLP-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Meanwhile, XBJ downregulated the protein levels of Bax, Cleaved-Caspase 3, Cleaved-Caspase 9, Cleaved-PARP, TLR4, p-NF-κB, p-IKKα, p-JAK2 and p-STAT3, as well as upregulated the protein levels of Bcl-2, Bcl-xl (p <0.05). Conclusions: In here, we observed that XBJ's cardioprotective advantages may be attributable to its ability to suppress inflammation and apoptosis via inhibiting the TLR4/ IKKα-mediated NF-κB and JAK2/STAT3 pathways during sepsis.