OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) and Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (RSM) in collagen synthesis and proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts.METHODS: Using collagenase and trypsase digested rat cardiac tissue assay to isolate cardiac fibroblasts (Fbs). Different dosage of TMP, RSM and norepinephrine (NE) were used to study their effects on the collagen synthesis and proliferation of cultured cardiac Fbs.RESULTS: Compared with the control group, moderate or high dosage TMP and RSM could significantly inhibit the collagen synthesis and the proliferation of cultured cardiac Fbs. Moreover, low-dose TMP(50 mg/L) and low-dose RSM(3 g/L) could antagonize the collagen synthesis and the proliferation of cultured cardiac FB stimulated by NE (500 micrograms/L).CONCLUSION: Both TMP and RSM could inhibit these processes. The mechanisms of these effect might be correlated to their Ca++ antagonistic action.
Animals Calcium Channel Blockers