Advances of Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulating Connexin43 in the Prevention and Treatment of Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Gap junctions are the main form of interaction between cardiomyocytes, through which the electrochemical activities between cardiomyocytes can be synchronized to maintain the normal function of the heart. Connexins are the basis of gap junctions. Changes in the expression, structural changes (e.g., phosphorylation and dephosphorylation), and distribution of connexins can affect the normal electrophysiological activities of the heart. Myocardial infarction (MI) and concurrent arrhythmia, shock, or heart failure can endanger life. The structural and functional damage of connexin (Cx) 43 in cardiomyocytes is a central part of the pathological progression of MI and is one of the main pathological mechanisms of arrhythmia after MI. Therefore, increasing Cx43 expression has become one of the main measures to prevent MI. Also, intervention in Cx43 expression can improve the structural and electrical remodeling of the myocardium to improve MI prognosis. Here, research progress of Cx43 in MI and its prevention and treatment using Traditional Chinese Medicine formulations is reviewed.