Etanercept Ameliorates Cardiac Fibrosis in Rats with Diet-Induced Obesity

Diet-induced obesity (DIO) is considered the main risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Increases in plasma levels of tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-α) associated with DIO. Etanercept, a TNF-α inhibitor, has been shown to alleviate cardiac hypertrophy. To investigate effect etanercept on fibrosis DIO model, rats high fat diet (HFD) were subdivided into two groups: group and vehicle group. Cardiac injury was identified by classic methods, while characterized histological analysis hearts. Etanercept treatment at 0.8 mg/kg/week twice weekly subcutaneous injection effectively alleviates HFD-fed rats. STAT3 activation seems be induced parallel fibrosis-related gene expression hearts Decreased plays role etanercept-treated animals. Moreover, genes are activated palmitate H9c2 cells. may inhibit effects palmitate, but it less effective than direct inhibitor STAT3. Direct inhibition unlikely. ability ameliorate through reduction after and/or its receptor.