[Objectives] The paper was to determine the effect of Wumen Jianzhong Qiangxin granules(WJQG) on myocardial energy metabolism in a chronic heart failure rat model after myocardial infarction(MI). [Methods] Totally 40 normal male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, trimetazidine group and WJQG group(n= 10). The model of MI was established by ligation of the left anterior descending branch except sham operation group. The rats in trimetazidine and WJQG groups were gavaged with 60 mg/kg and 16 g/kg emodin daily, respectively. After administration for 4 weeks, the changes in heart rate(HR), R-R interval(RRI), systolic arterial pressure(SAP), diastolic arterial pressure(DAP), mean arterial pressure(MAP), pulse pressure(PP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure(LVEDP), rates of maximum positive left ventricular pressure development(+dp/dtmax) and rates of maximum negative left ventricular pressure development(-dp/dtmax) were analyzed. Morphology of myocardial tissues was observed by HE staining, the levels of myocardial tissue adenosine triphosphate(ATP) and glucose transporter type 4(GLUT-4) were determined using scientific research kit, and the expressions of mitochondrial creatine kinase(mit-CK), creatine kinase MM isoenzyme(CK-MM) and adenine nucleotide translocator(ANT) in myocardial tissues were determined by Western blotting. [Results](i) Compared with sham group, LVEDP obviously increased, while +dp/dtmax and-dp/dtmax significantly decreased in model group, with extremely significant difference in statistics(P<0.01). Compared with model group,LVEDP decreased, while +dp/dtmax and-dp/dtmax increased in trimetazidine group and WJQG group, with significant difference in statistics(P<0.05 orP<0.01).(ii) The cardiomyocytes ultrastructure of rats in sham group was normal, while in model group, extensive focus of MI can be seen under optic microscope. In the infarction focus, we can see outline of the necrotic tissue, infiltration of inflammatory cells, few fibroblasts, as well as the slow growth of granulation tissue. Focus of MI in both trimetazidine group and WJQG group were located in a certain part. In the infarction focus, we can see living myocardial cells distributing as islands and islets, more fibroblasts than in model group, as well as active hyperplasia of granulation tissue.(iii) Compared with sham group, the levels of myocardial tissues ATP and GLUT-4 in left ventricular myocardial cells in model group went down, with extremely significant difference(P<0.01). Compared with model group, the levels of myocardial tissues ATP and GLUT-4 in left ventricular myocardial cells in both trimetazidine group and WJQG group went up, with extremely significant difference(P<0.05).(iv) Compared with sham group, the expression level of CK-MM, mit-CK and ANT in left ventricular myocardial cells in model group went down, with extremely significant difference(P<0.01 orP<0.001). Compared with model group, the expression levels of CK-MM, mit-CK and ANT in left ventricular myocardial cells in both trimetazidine group and WJQG group went up, with extremely significant difference in statistics(P<0.05 orP<0.01 orP<0.001). [Conclusions] WJQG can effectively increase the levels of myocardial tissues ATP and GLUT-4, as well as the expression levels of CK-MM, mit-CK and ANT of rats with heart failure after MI, and thus enhance the full exchange between ATP and ADP on the inner membrane of mitochondria conducted by ANT. The prescription also helps to ensure myocardial energy supply and remodel the process of myocardial energy metabolism, and finally protects the cardiac function of rats.
