红景天对兔主动脉粥样硬化斑块内血管内皮细胞生长因子表达及血管新生的影响

Effects of Rhodiola on Expression of Vascular Endothelial Cell Growth Factor and Angiogenesis in Aortic Atherosclerotic Plaque of Rabbits

目的观察红景天(RhodiolaL.)对兔主动脉粥样硬化斑块内血管内皮细胞生长因子(VEGF)表达及血管新生的作用。方法选用雄性新西兰兔30只,随机分为普通组、高脂组、红景天组,每组10只。高脂组和红景天组给予含1.5%胆固醇的高脂饲料喂养。其中红景天组给予红景天1mL/(kg.d),其余两组给予等量蒸馏水,连续灌胃9周。实验终点测定血脂,比较各组间血脂变化。实验终点各组选取主动脉标本,行HE染色、苏丹红染色,免疫组化测定CD34阳性反应强度,实时荧光定量PCR和Westernblot检测VEGF的表达。结果红景天组血脂水平TC为(42.01±1.99)mmol/L,TG为(4.83±0.75)mmol/L,LDL-C为(38.40±0.74)mmol/L,高脂组分别依次为(70.74±2.66)mmol/L、(8.75±0.78)mmol/L、(51.05±0.34)mmol/L;两组比较差异皆有统计学意义(P<0.05);红景天组内膜/中膜厚度比值(0.35±0.03)明显小于高脂组(0.43±0.03,P<0.05);红景天组斑块阳性面积〔(29.12±2.56)%〕较高脂组〔(39.28±3.48)%〕明显减少(P<0.05);红景天组动脉粥样硬化斑块内VEGF的表达低于高脂组。结论红景天具有抑制动脉粥样硬化形成,减少斑块内VEGF表达和血管新生的作用。

Objective To investigate the effects of rhodiola on expression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor （VEGF） and angiogenesis in aortic atherosclerotic plaque of rabbits. Methods Thirty male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups equally, i.e. the control group （A） fed with common diet and treated with distilled water, the high fat diet group （B） and the rhodiola group （C） fed with diet containing 1.5% cholesterol and treated respectively with distilled water and rhodiola （ 1 mL/kg per day） , all the treatments were administered via gastrogavage once a day for 9 successive weeks. Level of blood lipids in various groups was determined and compared at the end of the experiment. Meanwhile, the tissue sample of aorta was taken for observation through HE and Sudan red staining, for detecting the CD34 positive response intensity by immunohistochemical staining and the VEGF expression by Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blot. Results Determination of blood lipids showed that in Group C, TC was 42.01 ± 1.99 retool/L, TG 4. 83 ± 0.75 mmol/L and LDL-C 38.40 ± 0.74 retool/L, all lower than those in Group B （70.74 ±2.66 mmol/L, 8.75 ±0.78 mmol/L and 51.05 ±0.34 mmol/L, respectively） , showing statistical difference between groups （P 〈 O. 05）. The intima/media tunica thickness ratio and the CD34 positive area of plaque in Group C were all lower than those in Group B （0.35 ±0.03 vs 0.43 ±O. 03 and 29. 12 ±2.56% vs 39.28 ±3.48% , P 〈0.05）. Besides, the VEGF expression in atherosclerotic plaque was also lower in Group C than that in Group B. Conclusion Rhodiola has the effects of inhibiting athero-sclerosis formation, decreasing the VEGF expression and suppressing the angiogenesis in the plaque.