OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of puerarin on infarction size, fatty acids metabolism, inflammatory response and atherosclerotic plaque stability in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODSSixty-one patients with AMI were randomly divided into two groups, the control group (n = 30) and the treated group (n = 31). All were treated with conventional treatment, but to the treated group, puerarin injection was given additionally by injecting 500 mg per day for 2 weeks. Before and after treatment, blood levels of free fatty acids (FFA), matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assayed, and the size of infarction was determined by Ideker QRS scoring method.

RESULTSBefore treatment, the size of infarction was positively correlated to the levels of FFA, MMP-9 and CRP (r = 0.43, 0.42 and 0.39, respectively, all P<0.01). As compared with those before treatment, after treatment, the three parameters lowered by 30%, 41% and 23%, respectively and the size of infarction significantly reduced in the treated group (P<0.01), while in the control group, no significant change was found (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONPuerarin treatment could significantly reduce the size of infarction in patients with AMI, the mechanism is possibly related with its effects in lowering plasma levels of FFA, inhibiting inflammation and stabilizing atherosclerotic plaque.