Effects of Jiawei Danshen Decoction on Endothelial Cell Function and Ultrastructure in Atherosclerosis Model Mice / 中国中医药信息杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effects of Jiawei Danshen Decoction on endothelial cell ultrastructure, serum NO and ET in apolipoprotein E-knockout atherosclerosis (AS) mice;To discuss its mechanism of anti-atherosclerosis.Methods Totally 24 7-8 weeks old ApoE -/- mice were fed with a high fat diet for 12 weeks until the a mature atherosclerotic plaque was formed. They were randomly divided into four groupsmodel group, control group,Jiawei Danshen Decoction of low-dose group and high-dose group, 6 mice in each group. Another 6 normal C57BL/6J mice with the same strain were set as the blank group, and fed with general diet. After medicine intervention by gavage for 8 weeks, blood was extracted from orbital venous to measure serum NO and ET;aortic endothelial cell ultrastructure changes were observed by transmission electron microscope.Results Compared with the blank group, the level of NO obviously decreased and ET significantly increased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with model group, medicine intervention increased NO and reduce ET level (P<0.05). Electron microscopy results showed that the model group showed fatty streaks stage performance;endothelial damage in each administration group was improved compared with model group.Conclusion Jiawei Danshen Decoction can improve the endothelial cell ultrastructure and functions and protect endothelial cells, with a purpose to delay the AS process.