Effect of "Natural Polypill", Xuezhikang on Serum Cholesterol Metabolism Markers in Early Menopausal Women with Hypercholesterolemia / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the effect of Xuezhikang on the markers of the serum lipid levels of cholesterol synthesis and absorption in early menopausal women with hypercholesterolemia, and preliminarily explore its lipid-lowering mechanism.@*METHODS@#A total of 90 early menopausal women with hypercholesterolemia were enrolled from December, 2014 to May, 2016 from Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, who were randomly allocated to receive Xuezhikang (1200 mg/d, orally) or atorvastatin (10 mg/d, orally) according to a random number table. Serum levels of some related biomarkers, including cholesterol synthesis markers (squalene, dihydrocholesterol, dehydrocholesterol, and lathosterol), and absorption markers (campesterol, stigmasterol, and sitosterol) as well as safety indices were obtained at baseline and after 8 weeks of the intervention.@*RESULTS@#Eight weeks after treatment, both Xuezhikang and atorvastatin significantly reduced the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density cholesterol compared to baseline (all P<0.01). Xuezhikang significantly reduced the levels of squalene, dehydrocholesterol and lathosterol compared to baseline (all P<0.01), but atorvastatin only significantly reduced the level of squalene (P<0.01), compared to baseline. All cholesterol absorption markers showed no significant differences before and after treatment (P>0.05), however, a more obvious downward trend was shown in the Xuezhikang group. In addition, all the safety indices showed no significant differences between the two groups. Although the creatinekinase level in the Xuezhikang group was significantly higher, it remained within the safe range.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Xuezhikang may have more comprehensive effects on the markers of cholesterol synthesis and metabolism in early menopausal women with hypercholesterolemia through ergosterol and flavonoids in its "natural polypill."

Effect of PMTG on atherosclerotic lesion formation and expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in ApoE-deficient mice / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the protecting effect of polygoni multiflori total glycosides (PMTG) on the atherosclerotic lesion formation and the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 in aolipoprotein (apo) E-deficient transgenic mice.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Thirty-two female apoE-deficienct mice were randomized into four groups: PMTG high dose group (150 mg x kg x d), low dose group (25 mg x kg x d), atorvastatin positive control group (5 mg x kg x d), and model group. At the end of the tenth week, all mice were killed. The serum levels of Total cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured by enzyme dynamics method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to observe the morphologic changes of aortic endothelia cell. The expressions of NF-kappaB were studied by SABC immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>As compared with the model control group. (1) PMTG could reduce the levels of serum TC, TG significantly (P < 0.01), and LDL-C level significantly (P < 0.01). (2) It could increase the levels of serum NO and the anti-oxidation capacities significantly (P < 0.01), but reduce the levels of serum MDA significantly (P < 0.01). (3) PMTG could keep the normal morphology of aortic endothelial cell. (4) PMTG could deregulated the expression of NF-kappaB in aortic wall.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PMTG could inhibit the occurrence and development of atherosclerotic lesions by its anti-oxidation abilities, which reduce LDL-C level. The low LDL-C level could deregulated the of expression of NF-kappaB, which could deregulated ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in AopE-/-mice in aortic wall through.</p>

The pathological changes of abdominal and peripheral arteries in familial hypercholesterolemia--the result of high-resolution color Doppler ultrasonography / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore changes of abdominal and peripheral arteries in familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) patients with definite etiopathogenesis by high-resolution color Doppler ultrasound; to identify the arteriosclerotic progression of FH patients and offer the valuable foundation for clinic treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Observe the interior-media thickness (IMT), stenotic degree and hemodynamics change of arteries by ultrasonography in six children in five family constellations (index case) and six normal controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was significant difference between FH and control group in IMT of the posterior wall in left external carotid artery (origination), right common carotid artery (approaching piece) and IMT of the anterior and posterior wall right common carotid artery (intermediate piece) (P = 0.015). Significant thickening of IMT was not observed in vertebral arteries, subclavicular arteries, abdominal aorta, renal arteries, iliac arteries and popliteal arteries both in FH and control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The arteriosclerotic aggravation of FH patients could not be revealed by the level of the blood fat, but could be revealed correctly by ultrasonography. It is possible to provide significant foundation for individualized treatment of FH patients by regular non-invasive ultrasonography.</p>

The effects of polygoni multiflori total glycosides on the experimentally atherosclerotic formation in apoE-deficient mice / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of polygoni multiflori total glycosides (PMTG) on the expressions of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the apoE-deficienct (ApoE-/-)mice with experimental atherosclerosis (AS) and underlying mechanism.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Thirty-two female apoE-deficienct mice were randomized into four groups: high dose PMTG group (150 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), low dose PMTG group (25 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), atorvastatin positive control group (5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and model group. At the end of the tenth week of treatment, all mice were killed. The serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride(TG), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured by enzyme dynamics method. Light microscopy were adopted to assess the degree of atherosclerotic plaque of aortic wall and image analysis was performed with computer. The expressions of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were studied by SABC imunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>In comparison with the model group, (1) PMTG reduced the levels of serum TC and TG significantly (P < 0.01), but elevated HDL level obviously (P < 0.01) . (2) PMTG increased the levels of serum NO and the anti-oxidation capacities significantly (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01), but reduced the levels of serum MDA markedly (P < 0.01). (3) PMTG reduced also the extent of atherosclerotic plaque of aorta areas were (P < 0.05). (4) PMTG deregulated the expressions of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in aortic wall.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PMTG could inhibit the occurrence and development of atherosclerotic lesions by the regulating lipid metabolism and anti-oxidation and deregulating the of expressiona of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in AopE-/- mice in aortic wall.</p>

Effect of puerarin and daidzein on proliferating vascular smooth muscle cells / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the different effects of Puerarin and Daidzein on the expression of proliferating vascular smooth muscle cells, and to discuss the mechanism.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>MT was used to detect the state of VSMC (vascular smooth muscle cell) activity. The expression levels of Survivin, Bcl-xl, Bax and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) messenger RNA (mRNA) were analyzed quantitatively by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (Rt-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with Puerarin groups, VSMC activity in daidzein groups was lower, and the ratio of Bax/Gapdh/Bcl-xl/Gapdh was higher.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The inhibition effect of daidzein on VSMC proliferation is stronger than that of puerarin.</p>