目的探讨益肾活血胶囊对高同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)血症致动脉粥样硬化(AS)兔转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)表达的影响。方法 48只新西兰兔,随机平分为正常组、模型组,益肾活血胶囊小剂量组、中剂量组、大剂量组及西药(叶酸、维生素B6、维生素B12)组,除正常组外,其他组建立高Hcy血症及AS动物模型,分别给予相应的药物治疗,观察血浆Hcy浓度、腹主动脉血管形态学变化及TGF-β1mRNA和蛋白表达。结果益肾活血胶囊和叶酸等维生素均可明显降低血浆Hcy水平,减轻血管内膜厚度,下调腹主动脉TGF-β1mRNA和蛋白表达,益肾活血胶囊大剂量组疗效最佳。结论益肾活血胶囊可明显降低血浆Hcy水平,抑制Hcy诱导的动脉粥样硬化形成,其机制可能与抑制TGF-β1表达有关。
Objective To explore the effect of Yishen Huoxue capsule(YHC) on transformation growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) mRNA and protein expression in hyperhomocysteine(Hcy)-induced atherosclerosis in rabbits.Methods Forty-eight male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into six groups:Control group,model group,low dose YHC group,middle dose YHC group,high dose YHC group and western medicine group(folic acid,vitamin B6 and vitamin B12).Apart from control group,the rabbits in other groups underwent balloon catheter injury and high methionine diet to induce hyperhomocysteinemia and atherosclerosis(AS),followed by treatment with different drugs.Plasma Hcy concentration,the aortic morphological changes,TGF-β1 mRNA and protein expression were examined by high performance liquid chromatography,haematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining,real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry,respectively.Results Both YHC and western medicine could decrease the plasma Hcy concentration,attenuate the intimal thickening,down-regulate TGF-β1 mRNA and protein expression.The efficacy of high dose YHC group was superior to low dose YHC group,middle dose YHC group and western medicine.Conclusion YHC could decrease the plasma Hcy level and subsequently reverses the aortic lesion induced by Hcy.The mechanisms may be related to its suppressive effect on TGF-β1 expression.