Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; blood ; physiology ; therapeutic use ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; blood ; therapeutic use ; Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in the early phase on the atherosclerosis and the level of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1). METHODS: Twenty-eight rabbits were randomly assigned to 4 groups: Group A, sham operation (n=7); Group B, ovariectomized without estradiol (n=7); Group C, ovariectomized with low-dose estradiol (n=7); and Group D, ovariectomized with high-dose estradiol (n=7). All rabbits were given 1% cholesterol diet for 12 weeks. Levels of blood lipid, estradiol, and PAI-1 were measured before the operation and at the end of the 4th and 12th weeks. Twelve weeks later, we took the aortas for pathological analysis and calculated the areas of atherosclerotic plaque. RESULTS: After 12 weeks, the estradiol level of Group B was significantly lower than that of Group A, and that of Group D was obviously higher than Group A. There was no significant difference between Group C and A. The concentrations of total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in Group B significantly increased compared with Group A (P<0.01). The levels of TC and LDL-C of Group C and D were significantly lower than those of Group A. Whereas the concentrations of triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in Group B were lower than those of Groups A, C and D (P<0.01). In contrast to Groups A, C and D, the level of PAI-1 was significantly higher in the Group B (P<0.01), without significant differences among Groups A, C and D. The area of atherosclerotic lesion of aorta in Group B was significantly bigger than that of Group A, C and D. The areas of aortic atherosclerotic plaque in Group C and D were obviously smaller than those of Group A (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Transdermal estrogen replacement therapy in the early phase can improve the metabolism of the serum lipids, reduce the level of PAI-1, and probably provide the protective effect on the atheroma formation.
Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Estradiol ; administration & dosage ; Estrogen Replacement Therapy ; Female ; Ovariectomy ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; blood ; Rabbits ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Lycium ruthenicum anthocyanins on atherosclerosis (AS) in mice.

METHODNormal mice were taken as the control group, and hyperlipemia mice were divided into the model group, Lycium ruthenicum anthocyanins low, medium and high dose groups, and the simvastatin drug control group. After the oral administration, blood lipid indicators were detected by enzymatic analysis. The histomorphological changes in aortas, hearts and livers were observed, and liver-related indicators were determined by using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining.

RESULTCompared with the high-fat group, L. ruthenicum anthocyanins low, medium and high dose groups showed significant decrease in total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and atherosclerotic index (AI) (P < 0.05). However, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level showed a trend of higher than the model group. Liver's total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) were significantly increased (P < 0.05), malondialdehyde (MDA) was markedly decreased (P < 0.01); the percentage of aortic plaque area of each anthocyanins dose group in the total area was significantly lower than the model group (P < 0.05); severity of aorta, heart and liver were significantly lighter than the high-fat group. But the media dose group was similar with the simvastatin group.

CONCLUSIONL. ruthenicum anthocyanins can interfere the formation of AS, while lowering blood lipid levels in mice.

Animals ; Anthocyanins ; therapeutic use ; Atherosclerosis ; prevention & control ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Hypercholesterolemia ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Lipids ; blood ; Liver ; pathology ; Lycium ; chemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Phytotherapy

OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic effects of Rongban Tongmai granules (RBTM) on the atherosclerosis (AS) in quails.

METHODQuails were divided into normal control group and high-fat diet group. Twelve weeks after feeding, 3 quails from normal control group and 8 quails from high-fat diet group were anatomized and confirmed by pathological examination that AS has formed, then the high-fat diet group was randomly divided into 5 subgroups: Model, shujiangzhi 0.004 g x kg(-1) and RBTM (3, 6,12 g x kg(-1)). High fat fodder was stoped. Meanwhile, normal fodder was fed and drugs were administrated by gavage. The levels of the TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C in serum were determined at the time points below: Pre-experiment, per-drug administration, 4 weeks after drug administration, 8 weeks after drug administration, 12 weeks after drug administration. After experiment, pathological examination was performed on aorta, bilateral brachiocephalic artery and heart. Meanwhile, the levels of TC, TG and MDA as well as the activity of SOD in liver tissue were determined.

RESULTThe levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C and TC/HDL-C ratio in serum of AS quails were significantly decreased, the levels of TG and MDA in liver were decreased, the thickness and area of the plaque were significantly decreased.

CONCLUSIONRBTM might have effects of modulating blood lipid and improving lipid peroxidation, and also contribute to inhibit the development of AS and accelerate AS regression.

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Male ; Quail ; Random Allocation ; Triglycerides ; blood

Atherosclerosis (AS) is one of the most essential factors to cause cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. Abundant experience has been acquired in treatment of AS by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with its own distinctive diagnostic and therapeutic principles. To expell phlegm and relieve blood stasis, a hot topic of TCM therapeutic principle for AS, is reviewed in this paper.
Atherosclerosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Blood Circulation ; drug effects ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy ; Syndrome

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of Chlamydia pneumonia (Cpn) infection on haemorheology and atherosclerosis and the intervention of Huanglian Jiedu decoction (HJT).

METHODAt the beginning of the experiment, all the sixty New-Zealand rabbits were token blood to test Cpn IgG and all the results were negative. Eight New-Zealand rabbits were randomized into normal group F, and all other rabbits were fed with forage containing 2.5 g x kg(-1) cholesterol and infected with Cpn via nasophrynx for three times during 6 weeks. At the end of the sixth week, forty-four rabbits with serum Cpn IgG positive were randomized into four groups: Group A treat with HJD 2 g x kg(-1) d(-1) by gastric gavage, group B with HJT 1 g x kg(-1) x d(-1), group C with azithromycin 20 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), model group D with normal saline for six weeks. Group E was set up in eight rabbits with serum Cpn IgG negative and served as the control. At the end of 18th week, blood was token from middle ear artery to test haemorheology such as whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, haematocrit, erythrocyte aggregation index (EAI), erythrocyte rigidity index (IRI), and erythrocyte deformability index (EDI). After that, all the rabbits were executed and the pathological features of aorta tissue were observe under microscope.

RESULTHaemorheological disorder and atherosclerotic changes were obvious in both group D and E. while maximum intimal thickness (MIT) (23.65 +/- 8.19 vs 12.76 +/- 4.06), atherosclerotic damage percentage (P(LCI)) (41.08 +/- 12.51 vs 22.43 +/- 9.45), plaque area index (I(PA)) (9.57 +/- 1.82 vs 2.84 +/- 0.25) in group D was much higher than that in group E (all P < 0.01). Compare with group D, haemorphological disorder and atherosclerotic changes were much improved in group A, B and C. MIT (6.45 +/- 1.27 vs 23.65 +/- 8.19), (P < 0.01), P(LCI) (22.39 +/- 6.74 vs 41.08 +/- 12.51), (P < 0.05) and I(PA) (1.44 +/- 0.33 vs 9.57 +/- 1.82), (P < 0.01) in group A was much lower than that in group D. And MIT (12.65 +/- 3.63 vs 23.65 +/- 8.19), (P < 0.01) and I(PA) (4.43 +/- 1.17 vs 9.57 +/- 1.82), (P < 0.05) in gruoup B was much lower than that in group D too.

CONCLUSIONCpn infection could aggravate the haemorheology disorder in cholesterol-supplemented-diet rabbits, and both antidotal decoction of Coptis and azithromycin can alleviate it.

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Chlamydophila Infections ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Chlamydophila pneumoniae ; physiology ; Cholesterol ; blood ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Hemorheology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo investigate of antiatherogenic effect and possible mechanisms of piper longuminine.

METHODThe atherosclerotic model was established by the hypercholesterol feeding rabbits. Male Mew Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into five groups: normal group, model group, the high-dose (5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and low-dose (2.5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) group of piperlonguminine, and simvastatin group (5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)). All the rabbits were fed for 60 days. Blood samples were taken from the ear edge vein of rabbits in the day before the experiment, and in the days of 20, 40 and 60 days after the experiment, respectively. All the rabbits were fasted for at least twelve hours before the blood was taken. The blood serum were analyzed for total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The blood serum of the 60th day were also analyzed for superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO). At last, the pathological observation of aorta and heart samples were carried out.

RESULTCompared with those in model group, the TC, TG and LDL-C levels were reduced (P < 0.05) and the HDL-C was raised in the piperlonguminine group; also, the serum SOD and NO level was raised (P < 0.05), MDA level was reduced in the piperlonguminine group (P < 0.05). Area percentage of aorta plaque was reduced (P < 0.01) in the piperlonguminine group. The aorta and heart injury was abated and coronary artery angusty extent was markedly abatement (P < 0.01). The results of observation through transmission electron microscope (TEM) indicated that the fine structure of aortal pathological degree was markedly abated.

CONCLUSIONThe piperlonguminine could inhibit the atherogenesis formation and development, which might be due to regulating the lipid metabolism and enhancing the antioxidation.

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Dioxolanes ; pharmacology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Rabbits ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Triglycerides ; blood

This study aims to observe the intervention effects of Chinese herbal medicine of supplementing Qi and activating blood circulation on chronic intermittent hypoxia(CIH) composite insulin resistance(IR) mediated atherosclerosis(AS) mice model,and to observe the mechanism of SREBP-1 c signaling molecule.IR Apo E-/-mice model was induced by high-fat diet combined with STZ injection.Then the mice were treated with hypoxic animal incubator for 8 h per day and 8 weeks to establish a CIH+IR-ApoE-/-mouse model.Model mice were randomly and averagely divided into normoxic control group(NC),model group(CIH) and SREBPs inhibitor group(betulin),atorvastatin group(WM),TCM low-dose group(TCM-L),TCM middle-dose group(TCM-M) and TCM high-dose group(TCM-H) group.Chinese herbal medicine of supplementing Qi and activating blood circulation including ginsenosides combined with ligustrazine(TMP) were used as intervention drugs.The study observed the effect of drugs on IR,serum lipid,inflammation,stress,AS and SREBP-1 c related molecules.The results showed that fasting blood glucose in TCM-H group decreased compared with other experimental groups(P<0.05).HDL-C level in betulin group,WM group,TCM-H group was higher than that in CIH group(P<0.05).LDL-C level in TCM-M group,TCM-H group is lower than that in CIH group(P<0.05).The level of CRP in CIH group was higher than that in other groups(P<0.05).The level of SOD in TCM-H group was higher than that in CIH group(P<0.05).NC group and CIH group showed obvious AS aortic plaque,while betulin group,WM group,TCM-H group showed reduction in AS plaque(P<0.05).For descending aorta,AS plaque in CIH group was multiple and large,while less and smaller in WM group and TCM-H(P<0.05).The expression of SREBP-1 c and FAS in aorta and skeletal muscle in TCM-H group was lower than that in CIH group(P<0.05).In aorta,the expression of TNF-α and CD106(VCAM-1) was lower in TCM-H group than that in CIH group(P<0.05).In aorta,skeletal muscle and liver,the level of p-IRS-1 in TCM-H group was significantly higher than that in CIH group(P<0.05).In aorta and liver,the expression of HIF-1α in TCM-H group was lower than that in CIH group(P<0.05).The study demonstrated that combination ginsenosides with TMP could improve IR and serum lipid level and inhibit inflammation and oxidative stress as well as ultimately alleviate AS to some extent.And the mechanism of its interventional effects might be related to the inhibition of CIH-induced upregulation of SREBP-1 c related molecules.
Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; drug therapy ; Blood Circulation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Hypoxia ; pathology ; Insulin Resistance ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout, ApoE ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; Qi ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effects of Rongban Tongmai granule on oxidative stress in atherosclerotic rabbits.

METHODThe experimental rabbits were randomly divided into control group and hyperlipidemic group. The model of experimental atherosclerosis was prepared by feeding high cholesterol and lipid diet for weeks. After 4 weeks, hyperlipidemic rabbits were randomly divided into five groups, model group, high, medium and low doses of Rongban Tongmai granule and Shujiangzhi group, taking medicine for 8 weeks. The level of NO, ox-LDL, LP(a), SOD and MDA in the serum was measured before experiment, after treatment, treated for 4 weeks and for 8 weeks. After treated for 8 weeks, the level of MDA, GSH and NO, as well as activity of SOD and GSH-Px in the liver of rabbits was determined, meanwhile, the pathologic morphology of aortas was observed by light microscope.

RESULTCompared with control group, aortic intima of rabbits in model group had obviously thickened and developed atherosclerotic plaque. The serum level of MDA and LP(a) in model group had increased (P < 0.01) at 12 weeks after feeding high cholesterol and lipid diet, but the activity of SOD and level of NO were decreased (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). At the same time, the level of MDA in the liver had been elevated (P < 0.01), but the activity of SOD, GSH and NO was decreased (P < 0.01, P < 0.001) in 12 weeks. Rongban Tong-mai granule could inhibit atherosclerotic lesion in aorta, decrease the level of MDA and LP(a) (P < 0.05), increase the activity of SOD and NO (P < 0.05) after treated for 8 weeks in serum, moreover, the activity of SOD, GSH and NO content in the liver were increased (P < 0.05), as well as MDA was decreased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONRongban Tongmai granule can prevent atherosclerosis by antioxidative stress and correcting unbalance of redox.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; administration & dosage ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Glutathione ; blood ; Humans ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; blood ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Quyu Xiaoban capsule (QXC) on regression and stabilization of atherosclerotic plaque with high-frequency ultrasound technique.

METHODSEighty patients with atherosclerosis (AS) were randomly divided into the treated group and the control group, level of blood lipids was measured, and intima-media thickness (IMT) and corrected value of image average echo intensity (AIIc%) were determined by ultrasound technique at the beginning of experiment and after being treated for six months.

RESULTSThe levels of total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly decreased in the treated group after treatment (68.12 +/- 5.54 vs 61.43 +/- 5.37, P<0.05). The AIIc% of fatty atherosclerotic plaque was significantly increased after treatment (68.12 +/- 5.54 vs 61.43 +/- 5.37), and the change rate of AIIc% in the treated group was significantly different to that in the control group (10.9 +/- 5.1% vs 2.5 +/- 5.5%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONQXC can significantly lower the blood lipids level, delay the progress and enhance the stability of atherosclerotic plaque.

Adult ; Aged ; Atherosclerosis ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Coronary Artery Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Ultrasonography