Effects of TCM compounds for Eliminating phlegm and removing blood stasis on the ultrastructure of atrial myocardium and the oxidative stress in rats with atrial fibrillation / 国际中医中药杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To observe the effects of TCM compounds for eliminating phlegm and removing blood stasis on the ultrastructure of atrial myocardium in atrial fibrillation (AF) rats; To explore its possible mechanism.Methods:Totally 60 male SD rats were divided into blank group (10 rats) and model group (50 rats) according to random number table method. The atrial fibrillation model was established by tail vein injection of ACh-CaCl 2 mixture for 7 consecutive days, and then the rats with successful modeling were divided into model group, verapamil group, TCM compounds high-, medium- and low-dosage groups according to random number table method, with 10 rats in each group. TCM compounds high-, medium- and low-dosage groups were given Chinese herbal decoction 41.25, 20.63, 10.31 g/(kg?d) by gavage, respectively, and the verapamil group was given verapamil solution 25 g/(kg?d). The blank group and the model group were given an equal volume of normal saline by gavage for consecutive 14 days. After 14 consecutive days, electrophysiological recorder was used to measure the duration of atrial fibrillation in each group of rats; the changes of ultrastructure of atrial myocytes in each group were observed under transmission electron microscope; serum ROS, SOD and GSH-Px levels of rats were detected by ELISA. Results:Compared with the model group, the duration of atrial fibrillation in TCM compounds high-, medium- and low-dosage groups and verapamil group decreased ( P<0.05); the ultrastructural damage of atrial myocytes was improved; the content of ROS [(139.20±3.34) ng/ml,(139.00±3.28) ng/ml, (139.25±3.82) ng/ml vs. (155.60±7.32) ng/ml] in TCM compounds high- and medium-dosage groups and verapamil group decreased; the contents of SOD [(2.41±0.26) ng/ml, (2.40±0.12) ng/ml, (2.37±0.06) ng/ml vs.(2.12±0.21) ng/ml] increased ( P<0.05); the content of GSH-Px [(3.61±0.06) ng/ml, (3.60±0.08) ng/ml, (3.47±0.15) ng/ml, (3.51±0.19) ng/ml vs.(3.27±0.12) ng/ml] in TCM compounds high-, medium- and low-dosage groups and verapamil group increased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:TCM compounds for eliminating phlegm and removing blood stasis can shorten the duration of atrial fibrillation in rats, reduce the damage of ultrastructure of atrial myocytes in AF rats, regulate the expressions of serum ROS, SOD and GSH-Px in AF rats, and inhibit oxidative stress, which may be one of its mechanisms of action in the treatment of atrial fibrillation.