[Effects of huoxue injection on the adherence of human monocytes to endothelial cells and expression of vascular cell adhesion molecules].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effect of Huoxue Injection (HXI, a Chinese herbal preparation consisted of red sage, chuanxiong, safflower and red peony root) on the expressions of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and the adherence of monocytes to endothelial cells in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) injured by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL).


METHODS
Model of injured cell was established by adding ox-LDL into the culture of HUVECs, and the model cells were intervened with HXI. The adhesive percentage of the model cells to monocytes was determined by protein quantification; mRNA and protein expressions of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were determined by RT-PCR and flow cytometry respectively.


RESULTS
After HUVEC being treated with ox-LDL for 12 h and 24 h, its adhesion rate to monocytes increased, with the mRNA and protein expressions of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in HUVEC enhanced significantly, showing significant differences as compared with those in the normal control (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). HXI could significantly reverse the above-mentioned changes dose-dependently, showing that these parameters in the HXI intervened cells significantly different to those in the untreated model cells respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
HXI could inhibit the adherence of endothelial cells to monocytes by way of down-regulating the endothelial superficial adhesion molecules, so as to display its protection on endothelial cells, which should be helpful for reducing or suppressing the formation of atherosclerosis.
Zhu
Ling-qun
LQ
Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education, Qi'Xue Laboratory, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing.
Wang
Shuo-ren
SR
Qin
Ying
Y
D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000494:pharmacology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000166:cytology; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1