RESUMO
Objective To investigate the beneficial effect of berberine (BBR) on atherosclerosisin Apo-/-E mice and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods Fortyeight Apo-/-E mice were randomly allocated into 4 groups: control, model (fed with highfat diet for 4 weeks), BBR[p.o., 100 mg/(kg · d)]and Atorvastatin [p.o., 5 mg/ (kg · d)]groups with 12 mice in each group. The morphology and inflammation infiltration of aortic were examined with HE staining. The expressions of BMP-2, OPG, OCN, RUNX2 in aortic were examined by immumohisto-chemical staining. Blood lipid levels were examined by automatic biochemical analyzer. The expressions of IL-6, TNF-α and BMP-2 in serum and tissues were detected by ELISA method. The expression of ALP and the content of calcium were detected. HUVECs were stimulated with TNF-a and incubated with various concentrations of BBR for 24 h.The content of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MMP-9 in the culture supernatant was detected by ELISA method. Results 4-week berberine treatment significantly reduced serum TC and LDL-c levels and improved the plaque stability in Apo-/-E mice fed with a high-fat diet(P＜0.05) which was comparable with the effect of atorvastatin. Berberine also significantly decreased the level of IL-6 and TNF-a in mice serum and aortic tissues (P＜0.05). Berberine tended to decrease ALP, BMP-2 levels and the content of calcium in mice serum and aortic tissues (P＜0.05) which were not observed in atorvastatin group. Berberine significantly reduced the levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and MMP-9 in TNF-a-stimulated HUVECs. Conclusions BBR can profitably regulate the level of blood lipid in mice fed with a high-fat diet, decrease the injury caused by inflammation, and attenuate vascular calcification. It may improve atherosclerosis and make a contribution to cardiovascular protection.