Proteomic analysis for anti-atherosclerotic effect of tetrahydroxystilbene glucoside in rats

2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG) extracted from Polygonum multiflorum (a traditional Chinese medicinal herb) has been proved to exhibit significant anti-atherosclerotic activity. In this study, we firstly used proteomic analyses to investigate the molecular events occurring in the atherosclerotic rats after TSG treatment. Aortic samples were collected from the atherosclerotic rat group and the TSG-treated group, and its proteome was analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Proteins showing significant changes in expression were identified and analyzed by matrix-assisted desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). As a result, 21 protein spots were found with significant differential expression after the treatment with TSG. A total of 18 spots were identified by database searching, and 17 spots matched with known proteins. Among these proteins (11 proteins up-regulated and six proteins down-regulated), five proteins were mainly involved in inflammation, cholesterol transport, cell apoptosis and adhesion. TSG treatment enhanced the expression of HSP 70, lipocortin 1 and Apo A-I, and inhibited the expression of calreticulin, vimentin. Furthermore, we randomly selected four proteins and confirmed the results of proteomic analysis by RT-PCR and western blotting. In conclusion, TSG treatment suppresses atherosclerosis by altering the expression of different proteins. Calreticulin, vimentin, HSP 70, lipocortin 1, and Apo A-I, are key proteins that may be novel molecular targets responsible for atherogenesis suppression induced by TSG treatment.