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Effects of Chinese Herbal Compound "Xuemai Ning"on Rabbit Atherosclerosis Model and Expression of ABCA1
1Department of Geriatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang 110032, Liaoning Province, China.
Objective:
To observe the lipid and the pathological changes of carotid artery smooth muscle cells in atherosclerotic rabbits, verification of Chinese herbal compound which has improve blood lipid and anti atherosclerosis effects, focus on ABCA1 as the key receptor which participated in reverse cholesterol transport, to study the mechanism of Chinese herbal compound (Xuemai Ning).
Materials And Methods:
30 rabbits were randomly divided into blank group, model group and Chinese herbal compound (Xuemai Ning) group, The model group and the Xuemai Ning group with high fat diet and injection of vitamin D3, causing atherosclerosis model 4 weeks after the intervention of traditional Chinese medicine group, In the 4th week after Xuemai Ning group received the intervention of Chinese herbal compound. Blood lipid, the carotid artery pathological changes and expression of ABCA1 gene and protein in peritoneal macrophage surface were detected after 8 weeks.
Results:
The carotid artery atherosclerotic plaque formation of the model group was obvious, the carotid atherosclerotic changes of the Xuemai Ning group rabbit significantly lighter than the model group. The serum lipid of model group and Xuemai Ning group were higher than that of the blank group; and the traditional Chinese medicine can up the expression of ABCA1 protein, higher than those in the model group. Expression of macrophage ABCA1 in model group was significantly up regulated at protein level higher than the blank group; and the traditional Chinese medicine can up regulate the expression of ABCA1 protein, higher than those in the model group. Expression of ABCA1 mRNA was significantly up regulated in model group, ABCA1 mRNA of Xuemai Ning group raised more significantly.
Conclusion:
Xuemai Ning can reduce triglyceride, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein of hyperlipidemia model in rabbits serum, increase high density lipoprotein, remove foam cells in atherosclerotic cells, improve pathological of AS and up-regulate ABCA1 gene and protein so as to effectively inhibit atherosclerotic disease.
Insights
Xuemai Ning, a Chinese herbal compound, effectively reduces harmful blood lipids and improves atherosclerosis in rabbits. It upregulates ABCA1 expression, a key factor in cholesterol transport, to inhibit the disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Pharmacology
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a significant cardiovascular disease characterized by lipid accumulation and pathological changes in artery walls.
- Reverse cholesterol transport, involving the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), plays a crucial role in mitigating atherosclerosis.
- Chinese herbal compounds are being investigated for their potential therapeutic effects on cardiovascular conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-atherosclerotic effects of the Chinese herbal compound Xuemai Ning.
- To evaluate the impact of Xuemai Ning on lipid profiles and carotid artery pathology in an atherosclerotic rabbit model.
- To explore the mechanism of action, focusing on the regulation of ABCA1 expression in macrophages.
Main Methods:
- An atherosclerosis model was induced in rabbits using a high-fat diet and vitamin D3 injection.
- Rabbits were divided into blank, model, and Xuemai Ning treatment groups.
- Blood lipid levels, carotid artery pathology, and ABCA1 gene/protein expression in macrophages were assessed after 8 weeks.
Main Results:
- Xuemai Ning treatment significantly reduced atherosclerotic plaque formation and improved carotid artery pathology compared to the model group.
- The compound effectively lowered serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein levels, while increasing high-density lipoprotein.
- Xuemai Ning significantly upregulated ABCA1 gene and protein expression in macrophages, more so than in the model group.
Conclusions:
- Xuemai Ning demonstrates significant anti-atherosclerotic effects by improving lipid profiles and reducing arterial pathology.
- The therapeutic benefits are associated with the compound's ability to upregulate ABCA1 expression, enhancing reverse cholesterol transport.
- Xuemai Ning shows promise as a treatment for hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.
