Fasudil, a Rho-Kinase Inhibitor, Exerts Cardioprotective Function in Animal Models of Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury: A Meta-Analysis and Review of Preclinical Evidence and Possible Mechanisms

Huang, Y. Y. and Wu, J. M. and Su, T. and Zhang, S. Y. and Lin, X. J.

Front Pharmacol (2018) 9: 1083

DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01083

Abstract

Fasudil, a Rho-kinase inhibitor, has shown outstanding therapeutic effects against cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in humans. Studies show various biological effects of fasudil in the cardiovascular system. We conducted a preclinical systematic review to determine the efficacy and possible mechanisms of fasudil on animal models of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Nineteen studies involving 400 animals were identified after searching 8 databases for articles published till June 2018. The methodological quality was assessed by the Collaborative Approach to Meta-Analysis and Review of Animal Data from Experimental Studies (CAMARADES) 10-item checklist. The data were analyzed using Rev-Man 5.3 software, and the score of study quality ranged from 3 to 6 points. Compared to the control group, fasudil treated animals showed reduced myocardial infarct size (P \textless 0.05), lower levels of cardiac enzymes (P \textless 0.05) and cardiac troponin T (P \textless 0.05), improved systolic and diastolic functions (P \textless 0.05), and increased degree of decline in the ST-segment (P \textless 0.05). The possible mechanisms of fasudil action against myocardial I/R injury are improvement in coronary vasodilation, inhibition of apoptosis and oxidative stress, relieving inflammation, and reduction in endoplasmic reticulum stress and metabolism. In conclusion, fasudil exerts a cardio-protective function through multiple signaling pathways in animal models of myocardial I/R injury.

Citation

Huang, Y. Y., Wu, J. M., Su, T., Zhang, S. Y., & Lin, X. J. (2018). Fasudil, a Rho-Kinase Inhibitor, Exerts Cardioprotective Function in Animal Models of Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury: A Meta-Analysis and Review of Preclinical Evidence and Possible Mechanisms. Front Pharmacol, 9, 1083. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.01083 meta-analysis, systematic review, efficacy, mechanisms, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, fasudil

Keywords

• meta-analysis
• systematic review
• efficacy
• mechanisms
• myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury
• fasudil