Effect of Compound Rhizoma Coptidis on artery calcification in rats treated with warfarin and vitamin D / 中成药

ABSTRACT

AIM:To investigate the effects of Compound Rhizoma Coptidis ( Rhizoma eoptidis,Radix suctellariae,Cortex phellodendri Chinensis,Fructus gardeniae and Radix et Rhizoma glycyrrhizae) on vascular calcification in rats treated with warfarin and vitamin D_3.METHODS: Thirty-two male SD rats were assigned randomly into control group,calcified group,Compound Rhizoma Coptidis prevented group and treated group.The later three groups were treated with warfarin,and subcutaneously injected with vitamin K_1 and vitamin D_3 for one week to induce extensive calcification of the aorta.Compound Rhizoma Coptidis was given before the first warfarin dose in prevented group and the drug was given after the modeling in the treated group.The control group was treated with normal saline.The calcification in the aorta was analyzed and osteoprotegerin (OPG) mRNA and protein were determined using histomorphometry,RT-PCR and immunohistoehemistry after 4 weeks of drug intervention.RESULTS: The results of 32 rats was analyzed compared to the control group,the area of darkly stained regions by Von Kossa staining and the level of calcium content in aorta wall increased significantly[(608.32±42.29) μg/g vs (1 139.47±230.03) μg/g,P ＜0.05].The OPGmRNA and protein decreased in aortic sections.No artery calcification could be detected in Compound Rhizoma Coptidis prevented group and a little artery calcification could be detected in Compound Rhizoma Coptidis treated group.The level of calcium content in aorta wall significantly lower[(854.77±12.99) μg/g,(875.78±27.23 ) μg/g].The expresion of OPGmRNA and the protein significanfly increased in Compound Rhizoma Coptidis prevented and treated groups.CONCLUSION:Compound Rhizo-ma Coptidis may prevent or regress the vegcular calcifiation,that seems dependent on the upregression of aortic OPG levels.