ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Curcumin on rabbits with chronic heart failure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Heart failure was induced by combined aortic regurgitation and aortic stenosis in 20 New Zealand rabbits and treated with placebo (HF, n = 10) and Curcumin (Cur, 100 mgxkg(-1)xd(-1), n = 10) for 8 weeks, 10 sham operated rabbits served as controls (Con). Echocardiography was performed in all rabbits at baseline and 8 weeks later. Aortic diameter (AO), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS), left ventricular end-systolic dimension (LVDs), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVDd), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPW) and interventricular septum thickness (IVS) were measured. Myocardial matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 expressions and fibrosis were determined by immunohistochemistry and Masson staining respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to baseline, LVEF and LVFS were significantly decreased, AO, LVDs, LVDd, LVPW, and IVS significantly increased at 8 weeks after operation in HF group while these changes could be significantly attenuated in Curcumin treated rabbits. The protein expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly down-regulated in HF group and could be significantly up-regulated by Curcumin treatment. The increased collagen deposition in HF group was also significantly reduced by Curcumin treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Curcumin attenuated left ventricular dysfunction and remodeling by up-regulating MMPs expressions and reducing myocardial fibrosis.</p>