Qingda granule prevents obesity-induced hypertension and cardiac dysfunction by inhibiting adverse Akt signaling activation
Qian Gao,
En Ma,
Jinxiao Chen,
Qiqin Zhao,
Jia He,
Jun Peng,
Weidong Zhu,
Dan-ni Ren,
Da Wo
Affiliations
Qian Gao
Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatric, Academy of Integrative, Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
En Ma
Clinical and Translational Research Center, Research Institute of Heart Failure, Shanghai East Hospital, Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias of Ministry of Education, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
Jinxiao Chen
Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatric, Academy of Integrative, Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
Qiqin Zhao
Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatric, Academy of Integrative, Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
Jia He
Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatric, Academy of Integrative, Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China; Innovation and Transformation Center, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
Jun Peng
Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatric, Academy of Integrative, Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
Weidong Zhu
Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatric, Academy of Integrative, Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China; Innovation and Transformation Center, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
Dan-ni Ren
Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatric, Academy of Integrative, Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China; Corresponding authors.
Da Wo
Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatric, Academy of Integrative, Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China; Innovation and Transformation Center, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China; Corresponding authors.
Obesity rates have rapidly increased worldwide and obesity-related diseases such as hypertension and cardiovascular diseases have become leading factors for global morbidity and mortality. Currently, there are no effective treatments that can prevent or reverse obesity long-term, and hence the prevention of obesity-related adverse effects such as hypertension is critical. Qingda granule (QDG) is a condensed Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula that has been used clinically for treating hypertension, however, its effectiveness in obesity-induced hypertension and cardiac dysfunction remains explored. Mouse models of obesity via long-term feeding of high-fat high-fructose diet (HFFD) were established to examine the effect and mechanism of QDG in protecting against obesity-induced hypertension and cardiac dysfunction. C57BL/6 mice were fed with either normal diet or HFFD over a period of 16 weeks and administered with either saline or QDG for assessment of obesity-induced blood pressure and cardiac function. QDG administration demonstrated robust anti-hypertensive effects and significantly attenuated HFFD-induced elevations in blood pressures. Moreover, QDG treatment also demonstrated robust cardioprotective effects during obesity-induced hypertension by markedly improving cardiac function and preventing cardiac hypertrophy. QDG protected against obesity-induced hypertension and cardiac dysfunction was due to its ability to prevent adverse chronic activation of Akt signaling pathway during long-term feeding of HFFD. Long-term usage of QDG treatments exhibited no observable side effects and also completely prevented obesity-induced organ damage, demonstrating the feasibility and safety of prolonged use. Our findings thus elucidated the role of QDG in preventing obesity-induced hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy via inhibiting adverse activation of Akt signaling activation. Therefore, our study provides the theoretical basis for the utilization of QDG as both a safe and effective drug in the therapeutic treatment of metabolic diseases such as obesity-induced hypertension.
