Objective: To study the effect of Qiangxinkang granule on the pathomorphology of cardiac myocytes and the expressions of adenylate translocation enzyme(ANT) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α) mRNA in rats with heart failure. Method: Healthy Wistar rats were selected and injected with adriamycin through abdominal cavity (3 mg · kg-1

once a week) for six weeks to make the model of HF rats. Then they were divided into seven groups:blank group

model group

Qili Qiangxin group (0.65 g · kg-1)

Trimetazidine hydrochloride group (10.8 mg · kg-1)

and high

medium and low-dose Qiangxinkang granule groups (20

10

5 g · kg-1). After modeling

the cardiac function was tested to verify the successful modeling. Four weeks later

htoxylin eosin (HE) staining and electron microscopy were used to observe the pathological changes of myocardial cells

and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to observe the pathological changes of myocardial cells and the expressions of adenylate translocation enzyme (ANT) mRNA and PGC-1α mRNA in the seven groups. Result: Compared with the blank group

the model group showed significant slowdown in the heart rate

reduction in the maximum rising and falling rate at the left ventricle

obvious decrease in the left ventricular systolic pressure

remarkable increase in the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and significant decrease in systolic pressure

diastolic pressure and average blood pressure (P<0.01)

indicating the establishment of the heart failure model; the model group showed more significant myocardial cell lesions and more obvious alleviation in myocardial cell lesions

and decrease in ANT

PGC-1α mRNA content (P<0.01). Compared with the model group

Trimetazidine hydrochloride group

qili cardiac tonic group

and high and medium-dose Qiangxinkang granule groups showed a significant increase in ANT

PGC-1α mRNA content (P<0.01); the low-dose Qiangxinkang granule group showed a notable increase in ANT

PGC-1α mRNA content

with a statistical significant difference compared with the model group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Qiangxinkang granule could improve myocardial cell structure

significantly increase adenylate transposition enzyme (ANT) mRNA and PGC-1 mRNA content. Qiangxinkang granule can strengthen the cardiac function by improving myocardial cell energy metabolism.