Curcumin protects against myocardial infarction-induced cardiac fibrosis via SIRT1 activation in vivo and in vitro

Figures & data

Figure 1 Effects of curcumin on fibrosis after MI in vivo.

Notes: (A) Representative Masson’s trichrome and Picro-Sirius red staining of the myocardium. (B) Immunostaining of collagen (Col) I, collagen III, and TGF-β1. (C–F) Quantitative analysis of (A and B). (G) Quantitative analysis of infarct size. The data are presented as the mean ± standard error of the mean. Scale bars, 20 µm. *P<0.05 versus sham-operated. ^#P<0.05 versus MI.
Abbreviations: TGF, transforming growth factor; MI, myocardial infarction; Cur, curcumin.

Figure 2 Effects of curcumin on SIRT1 expression after MI in vivo.

Notes: (A) Western blotting analysis of SIRT1 expression. (B) Quantitative analysis of SIRT1 protein expression. (C) Immunohistochemistry staining of SIRT1 protein. Scale bars, 20 µm. The data are presented as the mean ± standard error of the mean. *P<0.05 versus sham-operated; ^#P<0.05 versus MI.
Abbreviations: MI, myocardial infarction; Cur, curcumin.

Figure 3 Ang II treatment stimulated collagen I, collagen III, and TGF-β1 expression in cardiac fibroblasts (CFs).

Notes: (A–C) Protein expression of collagen (col) I, collagen III, and TGF-β1in CFs treated with different concentrations of Ang II for 48 hours. (D–F) Protein expression of collagen I, collagen III, and TGF-β1 in CFs treated with Ang II at different time points. N, normal untreated CFs. The data are presented as the mean ± standard error of the mean. *P<0.05 versus the N group.
Abbreviations: h, hours; TGF, transforming growth factor.

Figure 4 Effects of curcumin (Cur) on fibrosis in Ang II-treated cardiac fibroblasts (CFs).

Notes: (A) Western blotting analysis of SIRT1, collagen (col) I, collagen III, TGF-β1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 protein levels. (B) Quantitative analysis of (A). (C) Gelatin zymography analysis of MMP-2 activity in the medium. (D) Quantitative analysis. The data are presented as the mean ± standard error of the mean. N, normal untreated CFs *P<0.05 versus N; ^#P<0.05 versus Ang II.
Abbreviations: TGF, transforming growth factor; MMP, matrix metalloproteinase.

Figure 5 Effect of curcumin (Cur) on proliferation and migration in Ang II-treated cardiac fibroblasts (CFs).

Notes: (A) CFs on the external surface of the Transwell chambers were stained using crystal violet and imaged under a microscope (magnification ×200). (B) Quantitative analysis. (C) Cell Counting Kit-8 proliferation assay. N, normal untreated CFs; The data are presented as the mean ± standard error of the mean. *P<0.05 versus N; ^#P<0.05 versus Ang II.
Abbreviation: OD, optical density.

Figure 6 SIRT1 siRNA attenuated the protective effect of curcumin against collagen deposition and ECM degradation in Ang II-treated cardiac fibroblasts (CFs).

Notes: (A) Western blotting analysis of SIRT1, collagen (col) I, collagen III, TGF-β1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 protein levels. (B) Quantitative analysis of (A). (C) Gelatin zymography analysis of MMP-2 activity in the medium. (D) Quantitative analysis of negative control (NC) siRNA. Cur, curcumin at 15 µM. The data are presented as the mean ± standard error of the mean. *P<0.05 versus Ang II; ^#P<0.05 versus Ang II+Cur.
Abbreviations: ECM, extracellular matrix; MMP, matrix metalloproteinase; TGF, transforming growth factor.

Figure 7 SIRT1 siRNA blocked the protective effect of curcumin against migration and proliferation in Ang II-treated cardiac fibroblasts (CFs).

Notes: (A) Effect of SIRT1 siRNA with or without curcumin on CF migration (magnification ×200). (B) Quantitative analysis of (A). (C) Effects of SIRT1 siRNA on CFs’ proliferation using a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. *P<0.05 versus Ang II; ^#P<0.05 versus Ang II+Cur.
Abbreviations: OD, optical density; NC, negative control siRNA; Cur, curcumin at 15 µM.