Changes of HO/CO system in arterial tissues of rats with stagnacy of collateral-Qi in deficiency condition and treatment with Renshen, Shuangshen, and Tongxinluo / 第二军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the vascular protective mechanism of different levels of herbs through detecting activity of HO-1/CO system in arterial tissues of rats with stagnancy of collateral-Qi in deficiency condition. Methods: Healthy male Wistar rats of cleanness level were randomly divided into control group, stagnancy of collateral-Qi in a deficiency condition group (SCQDC group), Renshen group, Shuangshen group, and Tongxinluo group. The ultrastructure of endothelium cells in the artery was observed. RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemical approaches were used to detect JNK, c-Jun mRNA and albumen expression in the arterial tissues. Meanwhile, the content of CO in the arterial tissue was also detected. Results: In SCQDC group, the counts of pinocytotic cells and microvili on the free surface of vascular endothelial cells were significantly decreased; most crests of mitochondria fused with membrane, some even disappeared; serious degranulation was observed in the rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. Immunohistochemistry showed that the HO-1 positive signals in the arterial histiocyte weakened significantly compared with the control group. The HO-1 expression was increased in the 3 treatment groups. Compared with control group, SCQDC group had decreased HO-1 mRNA and albumen expression(P<0.01,P<0.001). The 3 different kinds of Herbs to dredge collaterals increased the HO-1 mRNA and albumen expression to different degrees (P<0.001). The increase of albumen in the Tongxinluo group was more than those in the Shuangshen group and the Renshen group(P<0.001). Tongxinluo also significantly increased the CO content. Conclusion: Herbs to dredge collaterals can induce CO production by ameliorating or recovering the HO System, which may be one of the mechanisms for protecting the vascular tissues.