Effects of Wenxiao Decoction(稳消方) on the Expression of Interleukin-6,Intercellular Adhesion Molecular-1and Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 in Experimental Atherosclerotic Rabbits

Objective： To observe the effects of different doses of Wenxiao Decoction （稳消方） on the expression of interleukin-6 （IL-6）, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 （ICAM-1）, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 （MCP-1） in experimental atherosclerotic rabbits and to explore the mechanism by which it alleviates atherosclerosis. Methods： Sixty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into six groups： a blank group, a model group, a Simvastatin group, and high-, medium-, and low-dosage Wenxiao Decoction groups. Except for those in the blank group, all rabbits were fed with a high-cholesterol diet. Carotid atherosclerosis was established by balloon-induced carotid artery endothelium injury in conjunction with the high-cholesterol diet. After 8 weeks, all animals were euthanized to evaluate levels of IL-6 and ICAM-1 expressions （by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay） and of MCP-1 （by immunohistochemistry staining）. Results： The expressions of IL-6, ICAM-1, and MCP-1 were significantly increased in all groups except the blank group （P〈0.05）. However, the rabbits in the Wenxiao Decoction groups and the Simvastatin group showed significantly lower levels of IL-6, ICAM-1, and MCP-1 expression than those in the model group （P〈0.05）. The expressions of IL-6, ICAM-1, and MCP-1 in the high- dosage Wenxiao Decoction group and the Simvastatin group were lower than those in the low-dosage Wenxiao Decoction group （P〈0.05）. The expression of MCP-1 in medium-dosage Wenxiao Decoction group was lower than that in the low-dosage group （P〈0.05）. Conclusions： High, medium, and low doses of Wenxiao Decoction can inhibit the expressions of IL-6, ICAM-1, and MCP-1, which may prevent and stabilize atherosclerotic plaques. There may be a direct relationship between dosage and therapeutic efficacy of Wenxiao Decoction.

Effects of Wenxiao Ⅱ Decoction on the expression of MCP-1 and VCAM-1 in atherosclerotic rabbits

OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of different doses of Wenxiao Ⅱ Decoction on the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1) in an experimental model of atherosclerosis in rabbits and to explore the mechanism by which it alleviates atherosclerosis.METHODS:Sixty 3-4 month-old New Zealand rabbits of both sexes were randomly divided into six groups:simvastain;model;blank;and high-dose,mid-dose,and low-dose Wenxiao Ⅱ Decoction groups.Except for those in the blank group,all rabbits were fed a high-cholesterol diet.Carotid atherosclerosis was established by balloon-induced injury to the endothelium of the carotid artery in conjunction with consumption of a high-cholesterol diet.After 8 weeks,all rabbits were killed to evaluate the expression of MCP-1 and VCAM-1 by immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS:Expressions of MCP-1 and VCAM-1 were significantly decreased in all groups except the blank group compared with the model group(P<0.05).When compared with the simvastain group only variation of MCP-1 expression in low-dose group was not appreciable,and the differences were indistinct(P<0.05).When comparing among Wenxiao Ⅱ Decoction groups,MCP-1 expression in the mid-and high-dose groups was significantly lower than that seen in the low-dose group(P<0.01),but there were no differences among three dosage groups with respect to VCAM-1 expression(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:These data suggested that high,mid,and low doses of Wenxiao Ⅱ Decoction can inhibit the expression of MCP-1 and VCAM-1,which may prevent the formation of or stabilize atherosclerotic plaques.There may be a direct relationship between the dosage of Wenxiao Ⅱ Decoction and its therapeutic efficacy.