Insulin augments angiotensin II-induced myocardial fibrosis via the MEK/STAT3 pathway

Regular insulin therapy is significantly related to worse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart failure. However, the mechanisms of the causal relationship remain unclear. In this study, we observed the effect of insulin on cardiac structure and function and found that insulin dramatically augmented angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cardiac dysfunction, as well as the proliferation and collagen production of primary cardiac fibroblasts. Total STAT3 expression, but not activation was stimulated by insulin; the effect of insulin on Ang II-induced fibrosis disappeared when STAT3 was blocked and could be entirely suppressed by the MEK inhibitor PD0325901. Our findings suggest a noninsulin-dependent glucose-lowering regimen for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and heart failure (HF). •Insulin aggravated heart failure.•Insulin activated STATs.•Insulin enhanced Ang II-induced cell proliferation via STAT3.