Effects of Shuxinwenban Granules on Expression of VEGF and MMP-9 in Rabbits / 中国中医药信息杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the anti-atherosclerosis (AS) mechanisms of Shuxinwenban granules by observing its effects on the serum level of MMP-9, the expression of VEGF and the formation of the plaques in rabbits. Methods Totally 40 healthy female and male rabbits were divided into control group, model group, Shuxinwenban granules group and Simvastatin group. Control group was treated with basic diet, and other groups were treated with high cholesterol diet for 12 weeks to make AS rabbit models. The treatment groups were given corresponding drugs by gavage for 4 weeks. The serum levels of MMP-9 in rabbits were detected by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent method and the surface density of VEGF in the atherosclerotic plaques by immunohistochemical staining, at the same time, the pathological changes of the aorta and atheroclerotic plaques were observed. Results Compared with the model group, Shuxinwenban granules significantly decreased the serum levels of MMP-9, and the difference was statistically significant (P <0.01). Similarly, Shuxinwenban granules could significantly decrease the surface density of VEGF in atherosclerotic plaques, the difference was also statistically significant (P<0.01). Pathology showed that the intervention of Shuxinwenban granules decreased the area of atherosclerotic plaque, caused the plaque to smaller and thinner. Conclusion Shuxinwenban granules blocked the inflammatory response by inhibiting the expression of VEGF in atherosclerotic plaque and decreasing the levels of MMP-9 in serum, which lessened the formation of the atherosclerotic plaques.