OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of TSG on the content of nitric oxide synthase and the expression of endothelium nitric oxide synthase in artery vessels of experimental atherosclerotic rats.

METHODThe atherosclerosis model of rat was made by feeding high grease food and injecting Vit D3. Sixty male rats were randomly divided into six groups: normal control; model control; TSG high dose; TSG middle dose; TSG low dose; Simvastatin. After 12 weeks, several aorta were randomly tested, and the model made was successful when we found plaque. And after six weeks of treatment, the levels of NOS in serum were measured with a biochemical method. The biochemical method was adopted to detect the content of nitric oxide synthase and half-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect eNOS and iNOS gene expression in artery vessels.

RESULTData of the study demonstrated that compared with model group, the activity of NOS and the gene expression of eNOS were increased remarkably, and however the gene expression of iNOS was reduced markedly in simvastatin group and TSG 60, 120 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) group.

CONCLUSIONTSG can enhance the expression of eNOS gene and reduce the expression of iNOS gene in aorta vessels of experimental atherosclerotic rats, which may be one of the anti-atherosclerosis mechanisms of TSG.