[Effects of Radix Ginseng and Radix Notoginseng formula on expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 and hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha in ischemic myocardium of rats with acute myocardial infarction].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of Radix Ginseng and Radix Notoginseng formula on expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) in ischemic myocardium of rats with acute myocardial infarction.


METHODS
A total of 100 Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group, sham-operated group, untreated group, metoprolol (Betaloc) group, and high- and low-dose Radix Ginseng and Radix Notoginseng formula groups. Acute myocardial infarction was induced in the untreated group, Betaloc group, and high- and low-dose Radix Ginseng and Radix Notoginseng formula groups by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. After 12-day treatment, microvessel density (MVD) in ischemic myocardium was detected by immunohistochemical method, while expressions of VEGFR-2 and HIF-1alpha proteins were detected by Western blotting, and expressions of VEGFR-2 and HIF-1alpha mRNAs were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
MVD in the untreated group was increased significantly, higher than those in the normal control group and the sham-operated group (P<0.05) and lower than those in the high- and low-dose Radix Ginseng and Radix Notoginseng formula groups and Betaloc group (P<0.01). VEGFR-2 and HIF-1alpha protein and mRNA expressions in the untreated group were higher than those in the normal control group and the sham-operated group (P<0.05). VEGFR-2 and HIF-1alpha protein and mRNA expressions in the high- and low-dose Radix Ginseng and Radix Notoginseng formula groups and Betaloc group were higher than those in the untreated group (P<0.05). There was a significant difference between the high- and low-dose Radix Ginseng and Radix Notoginseng formula groups (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Radix Ginseng and Radix Notoginseng extract can up-regulate the protein and mRNA expressions of VEGFR-2 and HIF-1alpha and increase MVD in ischemic myocardium to improve myocardial ischemia so as to promote the development of collateral circulation.
DU
Xue-Jun
XJ
Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China.
Lei
Yan
Y
Yang
Jing
J
D000818:Animals; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000378:metabolism*
C497444:Hif1a protein, rat; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2