Objective To observe the anti-atherosclerosis effects of Guizhi Fuling Capsule. Methods 50 healthy SD male rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: normal group (n=12) and AS model group(n=38). The model of experimental AS rats was established by feeding high cholesterol diet and intraperitoneal injecting VitD3. The normal control group was fed by ordinary diet. AS model group was further divided into 3 groups randomly: AS group(n=12), control group (n= 12), and therapy group(n= 12). The therapy group was given Guizhi Fuling Capsule by intragastric administration.The control group was given simvastatin and captopril by intragastric administration. 0.9% NaCl was given to the AS group instead of Guizhi Fuling Capsule. The rats were killed at the 16th weekend, and their aorta arch and breast aorta were observed.Blood fat and serum levels of Endothelin-1 (ET-1), Nitric oxide (NO), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were detected respectively. Immunohistochemistry technology was used for observing the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule- 1 (ICAM- 1 ) in breast aorta. Results The values of ET- 1, NO, hs-CRP and the amount of ICAM- 1 were (142.61 ±25.67)ng/ml, (66.05 ± 8.63) μmol/L, (2.86±0.40)mg/L, (0.29±0.05) in the normal group; (182.38±22.96)ng/ml, (28.70±4.49)μmol/L, (5.60±0.49)mg/L, (0.58±0.06)in the AS group; (154.37±21.11)ng/ml, (45.88±11.36)μmol/L, (3.66±0.34)mg/L, (0.37±0.04)in the control group and (152.13±23.23)ng/ml, (57.67±8.96)μmol/L, (3.70±0.40)mg/L, (0.36±0.04) in the therapy group respectively. The levels of ET-1, NO, hs-CRP and the amount of ICAM-1 have significant difference between the AS group and the normal group(P=2.47E-4, 6.02E-19, 1.11E-12, 2.51E-18). There was also significant difference between the control group and the AS group(P=0.005, 1.59E-14, 1.87E-5, 3.87E-14). The level of NO in the therapy group was higher than that in the control group (P=0.002). The levels of ET-1, hs-CRP and the amount of ICAM-1 did not have significant difference between the therapy group and the control group(P=0.81, 0.81, 0.48) Conclusion Guizhi Fuling Capsule has effects of Anti-atherosclerosis on rats with AS.

Objective To evaluate the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) in alveolar macrophage cells of rats.Methods The alveolar macrophage cells of rats NR8383 were seeded in 6-well plates at a density of 1 × 106 cells/ml (2 ml/well) and randomly divided into 6 groups:control group (group C,n =24),0.2 μg/L LPS group (group L0.2,n =12),2.0 μg/L LPS group (group L2.0,n =12),20.0 μg/L LPS group (group L20.0,n =60),200.0 pg/L LPS group (group L200.0,n =12),and 20.0 μg/L LPS + ABCA1 siRNA group (group L20.0 + siRNA,n =12).The cells were routinely cultured in group C.LPS with the final concentrations of 0.2,2.0,20.0 and 200.0μg/L was added to the culture medium in L0.2,L2.0,L20.0 and I200.0 groups,respectively.In group L20.0 + siRNA,siRNA 50 nmol/L was added to the culture medium and 12 h later LPS 20.0 μg/L was added.In group C,6 wells were chosen for determination of ABCA1 mRNA and protein expression.At 24 h of incubation with LPS 0.2,2.0 and 200.0 μg/L,or at 2,6,12 and 24 h of incubation with LPS 20.0 μg/L,6 wells were chosen and the cell suspension was obtained for measurement of ABCA1 mRNA expression (by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR),and ABCA1 expression (by flow cytometry).At 12 h of incubation with 20.0 μg/L LPS or with 20.0 μg/L LPS + 50 nmol/L siRNA,6 wells were chosen and the cell suspension was obtained for measurement of TLR4 mRNA expression (by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR) and TLR4 expression (by flow cytometry).Results Compared with group C,the expression of ABCA1 mRNA and protein was significantly down-regulated in L0.2,L2.0,L20.0 and L200.0 groups,and the expression of ABCA1 mRNA and protein was up-regulated in L20.0 and L20.0 + siRNA groups.In L20.0 group,the expression of ABCA1 mRNA and protein was gradually down-regulated with the prolonging time of incubation with LPS.Compared with group L20.0,the expression of TLR4 mRNA and protein was significantly up-regulated in group L20.0 + siRNA.Conclusion LPS can down-regulate the expression of ABCA1 in alveolar macrophage cells of rats,however,ABCA1 can inhibit the synthesis of TLR4.