Chinese Herbal Cardiotonic Pill Stabilizes Vulnerable Plaques in Rabbits by Decreasing the Expression of Adhesion Molecules.
The cardiotonic pill (CP), consisting of a mixture of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, Radix Notoginseng, and Borneolum Syntheticum, has been widely used in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Adhesion molecules, including intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, are involved in the development of vulnerable plaque. We investigated the effect of the CP in a rabbit model of vulnerable plaque established by local transfection with p53 gene. Compared with the control group, rabbits with vulnerable plaque showed a significantly lower intima-media thickness and plaque burden after CP treatment for 12 weeks. Moreover, the reduction in rate of plaque rupture and vulnerability index was similar. On enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry analysis, the expression of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 was inhibited with CP treatment. CP treatment could postpone atherosclerotic plaque development and stabilize vulnerable plaque by inhibiting the expression of adhesion molecules in treatment of cardiovascular disease.
The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education and Chinese Ministry of Public Health, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Liang
L
Chen
Xiaonan
X
Li
Changjiang
C
Li
Yuanyuan
Y
Rong
Yawei
Y
Xiao
Xinsheng
X
Xu
Guihua
G
Yao
Guihua
G
Jiang
Mei
M
Zhang
D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015870:Gene Expression; D008297:Male; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011817:Rabbits
D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal