title: Effects and mechanism of Xin Mai Jia in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of Xin Mai Jia (XMJ) on atherosclerosis (AS) in rabbits and to explore the underlying mechanisms in order to provide experimental evidence for the clinical application of XMJ. An intraperitoneal injection of vitamin D3, combined with a high-fat diet and sacculus injury, was utilized to establish the AS rabbit model. Following the oral administration of lovastatin, Zhibituo and different dosages of XMJ, respectively, blood was drawn from each rabbit for the detection of blood rheological indicators, such as serum lipids. The pathological changes in the right common carotid artery were observed. Vascular function experiments and the expression detection of common carotid artery-related proteins by immunohistochemistry were conducted. XMJ was observed to decrease the blood lipid levels of the AS rabbits; increase the concentration of high-density lipoprotein and apolipoprotein A; decrease blood viscosity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and hematocrit; elevate the levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and Na+/H+exchanger 1 in vascular tissues and decrease the levels of angiotensin II receptor, type 1 (AT-1) and endothelin-1 (ET-1). In conclusion, XMJ was shown to lower the blood lipid levels of the experimental AS rabbits, improve the abnormal changes in hemorheology, increase the eNOS content in the vascular tissue, decrease the AT-1 and ET-1 levels and increase the endothelium-dependent vasodilation reaction. XMJ therefore has an anti-AS effect.
authors.affiliation: Sanquan Medical College, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Fan-Rong
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jun-Xiu
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Puyang City Health School, Puyang, Henan 457000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.affiliation: School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Ya-Ling
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.affiliation: Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Heng-Tian
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.affiliation: Sanquan Medical College, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Mo-Li
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Sanquan Medical College, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Li-Juan
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China.
authors.forename: LE-LE
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Guang-Ming
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.affiliation: School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Guang-Rui
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Wan
keywords: Xin Mai Jia; atherosclerosis; hyperlipidemia