Objective: To investigate the effect of Ligustrazine on the expressions of FoXO3a, MAFbx, and MuRF1 in denervated skeletal muscle atrophy rats.
Methods: Fifty-four 8-week-old female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control group (group A, n = 6), denervated control group (group B, n = 24), and Ligustrazine intervention group (group C, n = 24). After the denervated gastrocnemius models were established in the rats of groups B and C, saline and Ligustrazine [80 mg/(kg x d)] were given every day by intraperitoneal injection, respectively. However, no treatment was done in group A. At 2, 7, 14, and 28 days after denervation, the wet weight of gastrocnemius was measured to calculate the ratio of wet weight. The mRNA and protein expression levels of FoXO3a, MAFbx, and MuRF1 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.
Results: The ratio of gastrocnemius wet weight decreased with time after denervation in groups B and C, showing significant differences when compared with that of group A (P < 0.05), and group C were significantly higher than that of group B at 7, 14, and 28 days (P < 0.05). The mRNA and protein expressions of FoXO3a, MAFbx, and MuRF1 in groups B and C were significantly higher than those in group C at 7, 14, and 28 days (P < 0.05), and group C was significantly lower than group B (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Ligustrazine may postpone denervated skeletal muscle atrophy by reducing mRNA and protein expressions of FoXO3a, MAFbx, and MuRF1.