ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expressions of CD36 gene and protein in peritoneal macrophages of atherosclerotic rabbits, and to explore the mechanism of acupuncture regulation of atherosclerosis. METHODS: A total of 26 male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into a blank group (7 rabbits) and a model group (19 rabbits). The rabbits in the blank group were fed with common feedstuff, and those in the model group were applied with high fat diet and arteria carotis communis bullon injury. One rabbit was sacrificed after 8 weeks to observe the morphological changes of carotid atherosclerotic plaques by HE staining to verify model establishment separately in the blank group and model group. The model rabbits were randomized into a control group, an EA group and a western medication group, 6 rabbits in each one. Common feedstuff was used in the blank group and high fat feed in the other groups. No intervention except grabbing and fixation as the EA group was in the blank group and control group. Rabbits in the EA group were treated with acupuncture at bilateral "Neiguan" (PC 6), "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Guanyuan" (CV 4), and EA with sparse-dense wave was connected at bilateral "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 20 min, 4 Hz/20 Hz and 1 mA. 20 mL suspension of 1mg/kg/d atorvastatin calcium tablets were prescribed by intragastric administration in the western medication group for 4 courses, 6 d as one course with 1 d between two courses, once a day. The expression of CD36 protein in peritoneal macrophages was detected by Western blot. Reverse transcription (RT) of RNA and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of cDNA were used to detect the expression of CD36 mRNA in peritoneal macrophages. RESULTS: In the blank group, the vascular wall thickness was uniform and the endothelium was intact. There was no accumulation of foam cells and atherosclerotic plaques. In the model group, the intima of the artery obviously thickened; the intima was damaged; the atherosclerotic plaque and inflammatory cell infiltration were found in the intima, and the foam cells were seen. After treatment, the expressions of CD36 protein and CD36 mRNA in the control group, EA group and western medication group were higher than those in the blank group (all P<0.01). Those in the EA group and western medication group were lower than the expressions in the control group (all P<0.01). There was no statistical significance for the expressions of CD36 protein and CD36 mRNA between the EA group and the western medication group (both P>0.05). . CONCLUSION: EA can reduce the expressions of CD36 protein and CD36 mRNA in peritoneal macrophages of atherosclerotic rabbits, which may be one of the mechanisms of EA treatment of atherosclerosis.
Subject(s)
Atherosclerosis/therapy , CD36 Antigens/metabolism , Electroacupuncture , Macrophages, Peritoneal/metabolism , Acupuncture Points , Animals , Atherosclerosis/metabolism , Male , Rabbits , Random AllocationABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expressions of CD36 gene and protein in peritoneal macrophages of atherosclerotic rabbits, and to explore the mechanism of acupuncture regulation of atherosclerosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 26 male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into a blank group (7 rabbits) and a model group (19 rabbits). The rabbits in the blank group were fed with common feedstuff, and those in the model group were applied with high fat diet and arteria carotis communis bullon injury. One rabbit was sacrificed after 8 weeks to observe the morphological changes of carotid atherosclerotic plaques by HE staining to verify model establishment separately in the blank group and model group. The model rabbits were randomized into a control group, an EA group and a western medication group, 6 rabbits in each one. Common feedstuff was used in the blank group and high fat feed in the other groups. No intervention except grabbing and fixation as the EA group was in the blank group and control group. Rabbits in the EA group were treated with acupuncture at bilateral "Neiguan" (PC 6), "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Guanyuan" (CV 4), and EA with sparse-dense wave was connected at bilateral "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 20 min, 4 Hz/20 Hz and 1 mA. 20 mL suspension of 1mg/kg/d atorvastatin calcium tablets were prescribed by intragastric administration in the western medication group for 4 courses, 6 d as one course with 1 d between two courses, once a day. The expression of CD36 protein in peritoneal macrophages was detected by Western blot. Reverse transcription (RT) of RNA and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of cDNA were used to detect the expression of CD36 mRNA in peritoneal macrophages.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the blank group, the vascular wall thickness was uniform and the endothelium was intact. There was no accumulation of foam cells and atherosclerotic plaques. In the model group, the intima of the artery obviously thickened; the intima was damaged; the atherosclerotic plaque and inflammatory cell infiltration were found in the intima, and the foam cells were seen. After treatment, the expressions of CD36 protein and CD36 mRNA in the control group, EA group and western medication group were higher than those in the blank group (all<0.01). Those in the EA group and western medication group were lower than the expressions in the control group (all<0.01). There was no statistical significance for the expressions of CD36 protein and CD36 mRNA between the EA group and the western medication group (both>0.05). .</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EA can reduce the expressions of CD36 protein and CD36 mRNA in peritoneal macrophages of atherosclerotic rabbits, which may be one of the mechanisms of EA treatment of atherosclerosis.</p>
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the influence of Zhibitai capsule combined with atorvastatin calcium tablet on blood lipid and inflammatory factors in elder patients with dyslipidemia. Methods Sixty-four elder patients with dyslipidemia were randomly divided into control group and treatment group, with 32 cases in each group. Patients of the control group were treated with atorvastatin calcium tablet (10 mg, qd, bedtime administration), while patients in the treatment group were given Zhibitai capsule (240 mg, bid) for 6 weeks. Serum levels of TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, tumor necrosis factor-alpha ( TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured before and after treatment. Results After treatment, compared with the control group, TC [(5. 18±0. 57) mmol·L-1 vs. (5. 73±0. 65)mmol·L-1], TG [(1. 52±0. 43) mmol·L-1 vs. (1. 86±0. 48) mmol·L-1], LDL-C [(3. 36±0. 48) mmol·L-1 vs. (3. 85±0. 53)mmol·L-1], TNF-α[(5. 37±2. 21) ng·L-1 vs. (7. 63±2. 59) ng·L-1] and IL-6 [(12.27±2.75) ng·L-1 vs. (15. 63±2. 92) ng·L-1] were significantly decreased (P<0. 01 for all); however, HDL-C [(1. 26±0. 25) mmol·L-1 vs. (1. 13±0. 23) mmol·L-1] was significantly increased in the patients of treatment group (P<0. 05). Conclusion Zhibitai capsule combined with atorvastatin calcium tablet may not only regulate blood lipid level, but also decrease serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 so as to inhibit inflammation reaction in elder patients with dyslipidemia.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:To observe the clinical efficacy of strengthening spleen,reducing phlegm and stasis-dispelling recipe combined with atorvastatin calcium tablet for hyperlipidemia of phlegm-turbidity accumualtion.METHODS:In prospective study,80 patients with hyperlipidemia of phlegm-turbidity accumulation received traditional Chinese medicine combine with atorvastatin calcium tablet(therapy group) or atorvastatin calcium tablet alone(control group) with each group of 40 cases.Both groups were given oral dose of atorvastatin calcium tablet 10 mg before supper for 8 weeks.Therapy group were additionally given strengthening spleen,reducing phlegm and stasis-dispelling recipe.The levels of serum,TC,TG,HDL-C,LDL-C were observed.RESULTS:Total response rate of therapy group was 92.5%,which was better than control group of 85%.The improvements of TC,TG,LDL-C and HDL-C in therapy group were superior to control group.The improvement of clinical symptom in therapy group was better than control group according to the score of dizziness,sleepiness,chest tightness and palpitation,abdominal distention.Adverse drug reaction had not observed in both groups.CONCLUSION:Traditional Chinese medicine combine with atorvastatin calcium tablet has better effect than atorvastatin calcium tablet alone.2 groups show similar safety of drug use.
