Biochemical regulatory mechanism of asiaticoside in preventing and treating stent restenosis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss whether asiaticosides could effectively reduce the endothelial cell damage as a biochemical modulator, so as to further inhibit the post-stenting intima-media membrane hyperplasia.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Human aortic smooth muscle cells and aortic fibroblasts were selected and divided into the blank group, the rapamycin group and the asiaticoside group and the rapamycin and asiaticoside group. The expressions of muscle cells and fibroblasts TGF-beta1, Smad7 and I-collagen gene were determined by RT-PCR. The expression quantity of I-collagen protein was assayed by ELISA. The coefficient of drug interaction (CDI) between rapamycin and asiaticoside was calculated. Additionally, 16 Chinese mini-swines were randomly divided into group A and group B. One sirolimus drug-eluting stent of the same type was implanted after the high-pressure pre-expansion of anterior descending artery balloon. After the operation, the group A was intravenously injected with normal saline 30 mL x d(-1). Whereas the group B was intravenously injected with asiaticoside 30 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)(diluted to 30 mL). The expressions of plasma vWF of the two groups were measured at the 7th and 14th days after the operation. At the 28th day after the operation, tissues of the stented vessel segments were sliced and stained to calculate the vessel area, inner stent area, lumen area and neointima area</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with the control group, the combination group showed significant up-regulation in smooth muscle cells and fibroblast Smad7 gene, down-regulation in TGF-beta, and obvious inhibition of I-collagen gene expression (P < 0.01). As for smooth muscle cells, there was no difference in the expression of I-collagen between the combination group and the rapamycin group, with CDI at 0. 83. As for fibroblasts, there was a significant difference in the expression of I-collagen between the combination group and the rapamycin group (P < 0.05), with CDI at 0.77. Plasma vWF of the group B was significantly lower than that of the group A (P < 0.05) at the 7th and 14th days after the operation. At the 28th day after the operation, no difference was observed in vessel area and stent area between the two groups. However, the lumen area in the group B was significantly larger than that of the group A(P < 0.05), and the neointima area of the group B was significantly smaller than that of the group A (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>As an effective biochemical modulator for rapamycin, asiaticosides could inhibit TGF-beta expression, significantly decrease the synthesis and secretion of extracellular matrix, further inhibit the post-stenting intima-media membrane hyperplasia and reduce the endothelial cell damage by effectively up-regulate the expression of Smad7 protein.</p>

Effects of different statin regimens on lipid profile and serum metalloproteinases in patients with coronary heart disease / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD, stenosis between 50% - 70% evidenced by coronary angiography) were treated with atorvastatin 40 mg (n = 19) or atorvastatin 10 mg in combination with ezetimibe 10 mg (n = 23). Blood lipid profile and metalloproteinases were monitored up to 3 months.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), liver function, renal function, creatine kinase, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 were measured at baseline and at 1 month and 3 months post therapy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) At 3 months, LDL-C was similarly reduced in monotherapy group [(1.94 +/- 0.49) mmol/L, 37.82% reduction compared to baseline] and in combined therapy group [(1.92 +/- 0.54) mmol/L, 38.26% reduction compared to baseline]. (2) AST, ALT, renal function and creatine kinase remained unchanged post various therapy (all P > 0.05). (3) MMP-2, MMP-9 significantly decreased and TIMP-1 significantly increased at 3 months compared to baseline in monotherapy group but these parameters remained unchanged in combined therapy group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both therapy regimens were well tolerated and similarly effectively reduced blood lipids and 40 mg atorvastatin monotherapy regimen is superior to atorvastatin 10 mg plus ezetimibe 10 mg regimen in improving metalloproteinases parameters.</p>