OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Tongguan Capsule on the mobilization and differentiation of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) to the injured carotid arteries.

METHODSThe rat model of injured carotid arteries was established. Mononuclear cells were separated from the bone marrow of donor rats, which were labeled by PKH 26 and then injected through the tail vein to the recipient rats with injured carotid arteries. The rats were randomly divided into two groups. Tongguan Capsule suspension was administered by gastrogavage to rats in the experiment group, while equal volume of normal saline was given to rats in the control group. Four weeks later the injured carotid arteries were harvested and frozen sections were made to observe the differences of intima area/media area ratio (Ai/Am). The difference of BMMNCs migrating to the injured carotid arteries between the two groups was observed under fluorescence microscope. The difference of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1) levels in serum were detected by ELISA.

RESULTSThe PKH 26 labeled cells appeared in the experiment group, while only little scattered fluorescent light points was presented in the control group. The intima area and the ratio of Ai/Am of the experiment group decreased more obviously than that of the control group (P<0.01). Two and 4 weeks later the VEGF and SDF-1 levels in serum of the experiment group were more obviously enhanced than those of the control group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONTongguan Capsule could promote the BMMNCs transplanting towards the intima of injured carotid arteries, and take part in the repair of the intima of injured carotid arteries.