Ibuprofen Attenuates Cardiac Fibrosis in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> To investigate the effects of ibuprofen on cardiac fibrosis in a rat model of type 1 diabetes. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The diabetic model was established by injecting streptozotocin into the rats. Then, ibuprofen or pioglitazone was given by gavage for 8 weeks. The cardiac fibrosis was assessed, and the major components of the renin-angiotensin system, the transforming growth factor β₁ (TGF-β₁) and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), were evaluated by histopathological, immunohistochemical, Western blot analysis or ELISA assay. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Obvious cardiac fibrosis was detected in the diabetic group and was alleviated by ibuprofen treatment. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin (Ang) II and AngII type 1 receptor (AT1-R) levels were higher, and ACE2, Ang(1-7) and Mas receptor (Mas-R) were lower in the diabetic group. The ratio of ACE to ACE2 was raised in the diabetic group. All these changes were ameliorated by ibuprofen. TGF-β₁ and mTOR were raised in the hearts of the diabetic group and were attenuated by ibuprofen treatment. There was no significant difference between the ibuprofen and the pioglitazone groups. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Ibuprofen could ameliorate the cardiac fibrosis in diabetic rats by reduction of the ACE/AngII/AT1-R axis and enhancement of the ACE2/Ang(1-7)/Mas-R axis, leading to a decrease in TGF-β₁ and mTOR.