OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Tongxinluo (TXL) on angiogenesis and the volume of blood perfusion in ischemic stroke rats.

METHODSThe model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established using craniotomy ligation of the middle cerebral artery on one side. After screening, the male SD rats were randomly divided into the sham-operation group, the model group, the large dose TXL group, the middle dose TXL group, the low dose TXL group, and the Nimodipine group. The expression of microvascular density (MVD, CD31) of the MCAO rats was detected using immunohistochemical assay after 14 days of medication. The microvascular morphology and the volume of blood perfusion in the brain tissue were observed under laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM).

RESULTSThe positive CD31 expression was intense with significant coloring in the large dose TXL group, the middle dose TXL group, and the Nimodipine group, better than that of the model group. The blood perfusion volume in the ischemic brain cortex could be promoted in the large dose TXL group, the middle dose TXL group, and the Nimodipine group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The optimal effects were shown in the large dose TXL group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONTXL significantly increased the MVD of the ischemic brain tissue, promoted the post-ischemic angiogenesis, and increased the volume of blood perfusion of ischemic brain tissue, playing certain blood flow compensatory roles.