Cardiovascular effects produced by a traditional fungal medicine, Fuscoporia obliqua extract, and microvessels in the left ventricular wall of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHRSP).
Studies were carried out on stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) to determine the cardiovascular effects of a traditional medicine extracted from the fungus Fuscoporia obliqua. The rats received either a hot-water extract of Fuscoporia or tap water for 60 days. Heart rate and blood pressure were measured in the tail and venous blood was analyzed for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and leukocyte number. Sections of the left ventricular wall were stained for alkaline phosphatase and dipeptidylpeptidase IV to distinguish the arteriolar from the venular portions of the capillaries. Capillary to myocyte ratio (C:M ratio) was also measured. Treated rats showed a significant decrease in arterial pressure, a mild increase in leukocyte and a trend towards a decrease in HbA1c. There was a trend towards an increase in total capillary density in the subendomyocardium accompanied by a decrease in the arteriolar capillary portions. C:M ratio showed no clear change. It is concluded that the hot-water extract of Fuscoporia has beneficial effects on cardiovascular function, hematological status and probably immunological function in SHRSP.
Koyama
Tomiyasu
T
Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan. tomkoyamajp@yahoo.co.jp
Taka
Akira
A
Togashi
Hiroko
H
D000818:Animals; D001487:Basidiomycota / Q000737:chemistry*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000187:drug effects*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000187:drug effects*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control
D010936:Plant Extracts