Keishi-bukuryo-gan prevents the progression of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbit.
In this study, we examined whether in vivo keishi-bukuryo-gan (a Kampo formulation) could prevent the progression of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits, an animal model for hypercholesterolaemia. Sixteen male Japanese white rabbits (2 kg body weight) were divided into two groups. Group A (n = 8) was fed standard rabbit chow containing 1% cholesterol for 8 weeks. Group B (n = 8) was fed standard rabbit chow containing 1% cholesterol and 1% keishi-bukuryo-gan for 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, average plasma concentrations of total-cholesterol and IDL-cholesterol were 2055.9 +/- 201.8 mg/dL and 408.1 +/- 62.6 mg/dL in group A and 1950.5 +/- 126.3 mg/dL and 407.6 +/- 56.6 mg/dL in group B, respectively. The percentage of the surface area of the total thoracic aorta with visible plaque was significantly reduced by keishi-bukuryo-gan administration; group A was 33.2% +/- 5.3% and group B was 14.3% +/- 2.9%. beta-very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) isolated from cholesterol fed rabbits treated with keishi-bukuryo-gan (group B) were shown to be highly resistant to oxidative modification by cupric ion. Sera isolated from rabbits administered keishi-bukuryo-gan had reduced lipid peroxide formation compared with those from rabbits without keishi-bukuryo-gan. Thus, keishi-bukuryo-gan prevents the progression of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits in vivo by limiting oxidative LDL modification.
Sekiya
N
N
Department of Japanese Oriental Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan.
Tanaka
N
N
Itoh
T
T
Shimada
Y
Y
Goto
H
H
Terasawa
K
K
D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D001835:Body Weight; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL / Q000097:blood; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits
D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C054593:keishibukuryogan