ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Xuesetong Soft Capsules, Notoginseng total saponin) on angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression in ischemic myocardium of rats with myocardial infarction. METHODS: The left coronary artery of rats was ligated to establish the animal model of acute myocardial infarction. Rats were randomly divided into Xuesetong Soft Capsule, Shexiangbaoxin Pill (positive control), model (negative control) and sham operation groups. After 6 weeks, microvessel count (MVC), microvessel density (MVD) and VEGF mRNA expression in ischemic myocardium were evaluated. RESULTS: MVC and MVD in the myocardial infarct border area in model, Shexiangbaoxin Pill and Xuesetong Soft Capsule groups significantly increased compared with those of the sham operation group (P < 0.05). MVC and MVD in the myocardial infarct border area in Xuesetong Soft Capsule and Shexiangbaoxin Pill groups significantly increased compared with those of the model group (P < 0.05). No significant differences between Xuesetong Soft Capsule and Shexiangbaoxin Pill groups were observed (P > 0.05). The model group showed significantly higher VEGF mRNA expression than that in the sham operation group (P < 0.05). Xuesetong Soft Capsule and Shexiangbaoxin Pill groups showed significantly higher VEGF mRNA expression than that of the model group (P < 0.05). No significant difference between Xuesetong Soft Capsule and the Shexiangbaoxin Pill groups was observed (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Xuesetong Soft Capsules promote angiogenesis in ischemic myocardium after myocardial infarction and the mechanism may be associated with VEGF mRNA expression.
