ABSTRACT
AIM: To study the effects of xijiao dihuang decoction, a Chinese medicine, on the expression of adhesion molecules in vascular endothelial cells (VECs) of adrenine and hypothermia-treated rats. METHODS: The expression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, PECAM-1, iNOS and their corresponding mRNA in VECs was assayed by immunohistochemistry analysis and RT-PCR, respectively. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry analysis showed the expression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, PECAM-1 and iNOS are higher in adrenine and hypothermia-treated rats than that in controls, xijiao dihuang decoction decreased the expression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, PECAM-1 and iNOS in a dose-dependent manner in adrenine and hypothermia-treated rats. CONCLUSION: Xijiao dihuang decoction can down-regulate the expression of adhesion molecules in vascular endothelial cells of adrenine and hypothermia-treated rats.