Introduction::Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) and Gastrointestinal Disorders (GIDs) show significant
comorbidity. We established a rat model of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) complicated by acute myocardial
ischemia (AMI) to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of Wei Nai An Capsule (WNAC)
on CAG and AMI.
Methods::Potential mechanisms were predicted by using network pharmacology and GEO database analysis.
To model CAG, we combined intragastric administration of alcohol, sodium deoxycholate, and ammonia. Injections
of β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol modeled the AMI. Histopathological observations were performed,
and gastric pH, cardiac marker enzyme levels, cardiac electrical activity, and mRNA expression in
the animals were monitored.
Results::Network pharmacology and GEO database analyses suggested that WNAC's positive effect on acute
myocardial ischemia complicated by chronic atrophic gastritis is associated with the PI3K-AKT signaling
pathway. In the model of acute myocardial ischemia complicated by chronic atrophic gastritis, WNAC significantly
decreased the elevated ST-segment on the electrocardiogram, reduced gastric pH, reduced levels of
markers of cardiac injury, and reduced the mRNA expression of IκBα, PI3K, NF-κB-p65, and COX2 in cardiac
and gastric tissues.
Discussion::This study demonstrated the crucial need to suppress pro-inflammatory pathways in the treatment
of the comorbidity between CVDs and GIDs. However, additional experiments could further strengthen the
causal inference.
Conclusion::This research indicated that WNAC can be successfully implemented to treat the comorbidity of
CVDs and GIDs and provides strong evidence for the discovery of new indications of WNAC in clinical practice.