Effects of Radix Ginseng and Radix Notoginseng formula on expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 and hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha in ischemic myocardium of rats with acute myocardial infarction / 中西医结合学报

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the effects of Radix Ginseng and Radix Notoginseng formula on expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) in ischemic myocardium of rats with acute myocardial infarction. Methods: A total of 100 Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group, sham-operated group, untreated group, metoprolol (Betaloc) group, and high- and low-dose Radix Ginseng and Radix Notoginseng formula groups. Acute myocardial infarction was induced in the untreated group, Betaloc group, and high- and low-dose Radix Ginseng and Radix Notoginseng formula groups by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. After 12-day treatment, microvessel density (MVD) in ischemic myocardium was detected by immunohistochemical method, while expressions of VEGFR-2 and HIF-1alpha proteins were detected by Western blotting, and expressions of VEGFR-2 and HIF-1alpha mRNAs were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: MVD in the untreated group was increased significantly, higher than those in the normal control group and the sham-operated group (P<0.05) and lower than those in the high- and low-dose Radix Ginseng and Radix Notoginseng formula groups and Betaloc group (P<0.01). VEGFR-2 and HIF-1alpha protein and mRNA expressions in the untreated group were higher than those in the normal control group and the sham-operated group (P<0.05). VEGFR-2 and HIF-1alpha protein and mRNA expressions in the high- and low-dose Radix Ginseng and Radix Notoginseng formula groups and Betaloc group were higher than those in the untreated group (P<0.05). There was a significant difference between the high- and low-dose Radix Ginseng and Radix Notoginseng formula groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: Radix Ginseng and Radix Notoginseng extract can up-regulate the protein and mRNA expressions of VEGFR-2 and HIF-1alpha and increase MVD in ischemic myocardium to improve myocardial ischemia so as to promote the development of collateral circulation.