Keishi-bukuryo-gan preserves the endothelium dependent relaxation of thoracic aorta in cholesterol-fed rabbit by limiting superoxide generation.
Formerly, we have reported that keishi-bukuryo-gan prevents the progression of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits and inhibits the free radical-induced RBC haemolysis in rats. The present study was performed to investigate how keishi-bukuryo-gan (KBG) inhibits the early stage of atherosclerosis. Plasma lipid concentration and hydroxyl radical generation during respiratory burst in neutrophils were evaluated at the start and end of the study. The protective effect of KBG against endothelium disorder due to hypercholesterolaemia was examined. Twelve male Japanese white rabbits (2 kg body weight) were divided into two groups. Group A (n = 6) was fed standard rabbit chow containing 1% cholesterol for 4 weeks. Group B (n = 6) was fed standard rabbit chow containing 1% cholesterol and 1% KBG for 4 weeks. In the plasma lipid concentration, only the lipid peroxide concentration of group A was significantly higher than that of group B. At the end of the study, DMPO-OH, the spin-trapped adduct of hydroxyl radicals generated by neutrophils, was increased in both groups, and this increase was marked in group B. Endothelium-dependent vasodilatation by acetylcholine increased significantly in group B compared with group A. Thus, KBG protects the vascular endothelium function by its antioxidative effect and by inhibiting the release of free radicals from neutrophils in vivo.
Sekiya
Nobuyasu
N
Department of Japanese Oriental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sugitani 2630, Japan.
Goto
Hirozo
H
Tazawa
Kenji
K
Oida
Shoko
S
Shimada
Yutaka
Y
Terasawa
Katsutoshi
K
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D003497:Cyclic N-Oxides / Q000378:metabolism; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009599:Nitroprusside / Q000494:pharmacology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011817:Rabbits; D013481:Superoxides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*
D003497:Cyclic N-Oxides; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D008055:Lipids; C054593:keishibukuryogan; D013481:Superoxides; D009599:Nitroprusside; C069977:2,2-dimethyl-5-hydroxy-1-pyrrolidinyloxy; D002784:Cholesterol; D000109:Acetylcholine