OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of Tongxinluo (TXL) Capsule on function of vascular endothelium in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP).

METHODSForty-six UAP patients were randomly divided into two group, the 28 patients in the treated group treated by conventional therapy plus TXL and the 18 patients in the control group treated by conventional therapy alone. Changes of blood levels of endothelin (ET), nitric oxide (NO), Von Willebrand factor (vWF), soluble vascular cell adhesive molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and soluble intracellular adhesive molecule-1 (sICAM-1) from before treatment to after two months of treatment were observed, and the flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) in brachial artery was detected at the same time using ultrasonography.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the blood level of vWF and ET obviously decreased (P < 0.01), levels of NO and FMD increased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) in both groups. Levels of sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 significantly decreased in the treated group (P < 0.01), while in the control group, no marked change was found in sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, the levels of vWF, ET, sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 in the treated group were lower (P < 0.01), and levels of NO and FMD were higher (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTXL might protect vascular endothelium, improve clinical therapeutic effect by path of decreasing blood levels of ET, vWF and partial cellular adhesive factor, and increasing the level of NO.