Abstract: Objiective To detect the expression of Toll Like Receptors4 (TLR4) in experimental model rat with chronic heart failure (CHF), and investigate the possible mechanism of berberine treating inflammation response of CHF. Methods Rat model of CHF was established by intraperitoneal injection of adriamycin with 2.8 mg/kg per week for 10 weeks. The rat model of CHF were randomly divided into berberine group,placebo group and normal group.Each group contained 10 rats. Berberine group was given berberine with 21 mg/kg per day for 4 weeks while other groups were given distilled saline water. Serum BNP, TNF-α,IL-1and IL-6 were assessed by ELISA,iNOS mRNA was measured by qRT-PCR,TLR4 protein expression and distribution were detected by immunohistochemistry. HE stain was performed to observe morphological features. Results Serum BNP,TNF-α,IL-1,IL-6 and iNOS mRNA level in berberine group were significantly attenuated compared with in placebo group (P<0.05).TLR4 Absorbance value in berberine and placebo group were enhanced compared with normal group (P<0.05), while in berberine group significant decreased compared with in placebo group(P<0.05). Conclusion Berberine can inhibit the inflammatory response in CHF may through down-regulation signal transduction of TLR4．

Key words: berberine, chornic heart failure, toll like receptors4(TLR4)