Bilayer nicorandil-loaded small-diameter vascular grafts improve endothelial cell function via PI3K/AKT/eNOS pathway

For the surgical treatment of cardiovascular disease(CVD),there is a clear and unmet need in developing small-diameter(diameter<6 mm)vascular grafts.In our previous work,sulfated silk fibroin(SF)was successfully fabricated as a potential candidate for preparing vascular grafts due to the great cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility.However,vascular graft with single layer is difficult to adapt to the complex internal environment.In this work,polycaprolactone(PCL)and sulfated SF were used to fabricate bilayer vascular graft(BLVG)to mimic the structure of natural blood vessels.To enhance the biological activity of BLVG,nicorandil(NIC),an FDA-approved drug with multi-bioactivity,was loaded in the BLVG to fabricate NIC-loaded BLVG.The morphology,chemical composition and mechanical properties of NIC-loaded BLVG were assessed.The results showed that the bilayer structure of NIC-loaded BLVG endowed the graft with a biphasic drug release behavior.The in vitro studies indicated that NIC-loaded BLVG could significantly increase the proliferation,migration and antioxidation capability of endothelial cells(ECs).Moreover,we found that the potential biological mechanism was the activation of PI3K/AKT/eNOS signaling pathway.Overall,the results effectively demonstrated that NIC-loaded BLVG had a promising in vitro performance as a functional small-diameter vascular graft.

Effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction on the proliferation,migration and adhesion of endothelial progenitor cells in rats with acute myocardial infarction

Objective:To investigate the intervention effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction on endothelial progenitor cell function(EPCs),and to explore the therapeutic mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Decoction.Methods:This research take 54 rats were divided into blank group,the control group,model group,Chinese medicine,western medicine group and combine traditional Chinese and western medicine group,tonifying Yang also five decoction and atorvastatin calcium for acute myocardial infarction(AMI)rats group intervention,by using the method of density gradient centrifugation separation training each rat endothelial progenitor cells,using tetramethyl azo salt trace enzyme reaction colorimetry,used in the determination of adhesion ability and improved Boyden chamber,the method of analysis and comparison between groups of endothelial progenitor cells proliferation,adhesion and migration.Results:In 7 days,14 days and 4 weeks,acute myocardial infarction model of rat peripheral blood EPCs count,proliferation,migration and adhesion ability were compared with control group were significantly decline,tonifying Yang also five decoction group,western medicine control group and combine traditional Chinese and western medicine group of peripheral blood EPCs count,proliferation,migration and adhesion ability compared with model group were significantly increased(P<0.05),and combine traditional Chinese and western medicine group is the traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine group on the improvement of the function of EPCs effect more significantly(P<0.05).Conclusion:Statins combined with Buyang Huanwu Decoction can better improve the endothelial function of AMI rats than traditional Chinese medicine or western medicine.Further clinical studies on statins may better improve the endothelial function of AMI patients,and provide a new research entry point for improving the long-term prognosis of AMI patients.