Stasis-removing phlegm-resolving formula reduces hepatic lipid deposition in rabbits with atherosclerosis through regulating mitochondrial autophagy related proteins
10.3969/j.issn.1006-2157.2018.04.009
- VernacularTitle:化瘀祛痰方调控线粒体自噬相关蛋白减少动脉粥样硬化家兔肝脏脂质沉积的研究
- Author:
Si CHEN
1
;
Lianqun JIA
;
Nan SONG
;
Jian WANG
;
Ning CHEN
;
Yunfei GAO
;
Simeng XIE
Author Information
1. 辽宁中医药大学中医脏象理论及应用教育部重点实验室 辽宁110847
- Keywords:
Huayu Qutan Formula;
mitochondrial autophagy;
lipid deposition;
atherosclerosis;
rabbits
- From:
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2018;41(4):310-315
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To observe the effect of stasis-removing phlegm-resolving formula (Huayu Qutan Fang, HYQTF) on liver mitochondrial autophagy related proteins, and to investigate the effects of mitochondrial autophagy on liver lipid deposition in rats with atherosclerosis (AS). Methods Rabbits (60-SPF-grade Zelanian purebred males) were randomly divided into normal group,model group,HYQTF group and simvastatin group. Normal group was fed with normal diet; model group, HYQTF group and simvastatin group were fed with high-fat diet. 8 weeks after the modeling, HYQTF group and simvastatin group received corresponding medicinal intervention while normal group and model group were administered with the same volume of saline. After 4 weeks,the serum contents of total cholesterol (TC),triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured whereas the morphological changes of rabbit liver tissue were observed by using stained HE. Accumulation of lipid droplets was evaluated with oil red O staining, and the relative expression of autophagy relating protein FUNDC1,P62 and LC3 in rabbit liver tissue were detected with Western blotting method. Results Compared with normal group,TC,TG and LDL-C levels of serum increased significantly (P<0.01) whereas HDL-C level decreased (P<0.05) in the model group. Compared with the model group,serum TC,TG and LDL-C levels in the HYQTF group and simvastatin group decreased significantly (P<0.05),and the content of HDL-C increased significantly(P<0.05). HE staining results:The liver tissue of model group rabbits became apparently swollen and formed fatty vacuolization. Fatty vacuoles in HYQTF group and simvastatin group significantly decreased or disappeared. Normal morphology of liver tissue fully or partially recovered. Oil Red O staining results: In the model group, liver cell became swollen and round,with the loose cytoplasm and obvious accumulation of intracellular lipid droplets. The degree of steatosis decreased in HYQTF group and simvastatin group, with the number of lipid vacuoles decreased. Western blotting results:Compared with normal group,the relative expression of mitochondrial autophagy relating proteins LC3 and FUNDC1 in liver tissue of rabbits significantly increased in the model group (P <0.05), and the relative expression level of P62 decreased significantly (P <0.05) in the model. Compared with the normal group, mitochondrial autophagy relating protein LC3, FUNDC1 expression in model group increased significantly (P <0.05), while mitochondrial autophagy relating protein LC3,FUNDC1 expression in HYQTF group and simvastatin group decreased significantly,and the relative expression level of P62 increased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion Stasis-removing phlegm-resolving formula may reduce lipid deposition in liver tissue of AS rabbits by regulating mitochondrial autophagy related proteins,thereby slowing the formation and development of atherosclerosis.
