ABSTRACT
@#To explore the effect of Astragalus membranaceus, a traditional Chinese medicine, on metabolic homeostasis of heart, brain and blood in mice, and to elucidate the cardio-cerebrovascular protective mechanisms of AR from the perspective of metabolic regulation. Thirteen ICR male mice were randomly divided into two groups which were intragastrically administered with ultrapure water and aqueous extract of Astragalus membranaceus for 10 consecutive days, respectively. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to comprehensively characterize the metabolic profiles of serum, heart and brain tissues. Multivariate statistical analysis combined with nonparametric tests were applied to screen and identify different metabolites, and then the related metabolic pathways were uncovered. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that the metabolic profiles of serum, heart, and brain tissues of mice after Astragalus membranaceus intervention significantly changed compared with the control group. A total of 15, 19, and 17 metabolites were identified in serum, heart, and brain tissues, respectively, among which palmitic acid and LysoPC (20∶3) were screened out from all types of biological samples. The results of metabolic pathway enrichment analysis showed that amino acid metabolism, phospholipid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism and tricarboxylic acid cycle were significantly affected. Astragalus membranaceus may protect the cardio-cerebrovascular system by regulating the metabolic homeostasis of amino acids, lipids and energy.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effects of lycopene on fibrinolytic activity and nitric oxide in atherosclerosis rabbits. Methods 30 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. They were individually housed in metal cages. Throughout the experimental period, they were given restricted amounts of food. Control group was fed with normal diet,model group was fed with 1% cholesterol,10% lard and 89% normal diet, lycopene group was fed with 1% cholesterol,10% lard and normal diet plus 6% lycopene.At the time of the first day and the 8th week, blood samples were drawn from ear edge vein of rabbits. The activity and content of plashaa tissue type plasminogen activator(t-PA)and plasminogen activator inhibitor(PAI-1)were detected. The levels of serum Nitric oxide (NO)were determined.At the end of the study, the plaque areas were measured. SPSS 10.0 software was used to evaluate the differences among the three groups. Results Compared with control group, atherosclerosis rabbits had lower content and activity of t-PA, higher content and activity of PAI-1 and lower content of NO. Compared with model group, lycopene group had no significant difference about the content and activity of tPA and PAI-1.But lycopen increased the levels of serum NO, significantly diminished the area of lipid plaque. Conclusions The experimental results suggested that lycopene had antiatherogenic effects. The possible mechanisms might be that lycopene could decrease lipid peroxidation injure, maintain the concentration of NO and protect vascular endothelium. The antiatherogenic effects of lycopene had no correlation with the fibrinolytic activity.