[Effect of Coptis root extract on gene expressions of perilipin and PPAR-gamma in aortic vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque of ApoE-gene knockout mice].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effect of coptis root extract (CRE) on the gene expressions of perilipin and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) in atherosclerotic plaque of ApoE-gene knockout mice for exploring its plaque stabilizing action and possible mechanism.


METHODS
Thirty-three ApoE knockout mice, 6-8 weeks old, were fed with high-fat diet for 13 weeks. After mature atherosclerotic plaques being formed, the animals were randomly allocated into the control group, the CRE group, and the simvastatin group (as positive control) , 11 in each group. They were continuously fed with high-fat diet and to the two drug-treated groups, respective drugs in clinically recommended dose were given for another 13 weeks. Then all mice were sacrificed by the end of experiment. The morphology and composition of atherosclerotic plaques in 4 sections of aortic roots were examined with HE and Movat stain, the average number of fibrous caps buried in the plaque was observed and counted, and the gene expressions of perilipin and PPAR-gamma mRNA were determined by Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR technology.


RESULTS
After treatment for 13 weeks, the number of fibrous caps and the gene expression of perilipin mRNA in the CRE group was significantly lower (P<0.05), but gene of PPAR-gamma mRNA was higher (P<0.01) than those in the model group.


CONCLUSIONS
In a clinically recommended dose, CRE can significantly decrease the frequency of plaque rupture in aorta of ApoE-gene knockout mice and do favour to plaque stability, its mechanism may be related to the promotion of PPAR-gamma mRNA expression and the inhibition of perilipin mRNA expression.
Zhou
Ming-Xue
MX
National Integrative Medicine Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing.
Xu
Hao
H
Chen
Ke-Ji
KJ
D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology*; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D039323:Coptis / Q000737:chemistry*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D055786:Gene Knockout Techniques; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000235:genetics; D000070778:Perilipin-1; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D047495:PPAR gamma; D000070778:Perilipin-1; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger