ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investiage the possible mechanism underlying the effect of the Jianpi Qutan Fang (, JPQT) on Atherosclerosis (AS) which is the main pathological process of most cardiovascular diseases that affect millions of adults worldwide. METHODS: In the present study, rats were fed with a high-fat-diet (HFD) with vitamin D3 for 16 weeks and were orally administered atorvastatin treatment and different doses of JPQT. Histopathological changes and ultrastructural changes in the aorta were evaluated through hematoxylin-eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. Suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1)/Janus kinase 1 (JAK1)/ signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) signaling pathways were detected through Western blotting. RESULTS: JPQT treatment decreased the lipid levels of triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, and cholesterol, the inflammatory cytokine levels of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß), IL-6 and IL-8 in rat serum, but increased high-density lipoprotein and IL-10 serum levels. JPQT treatment ameliorated pathological changes in the aorta of AS model rats. Moreover, JPQT upregulated SOCS1 protein expression and down-regulated phosphorylated protein expression levels of p-JAK1 and p-STAT1. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that JPQT induces anti-atherosclerosis effects through anti-inflammatory and inhibiting JAK/STAT signaling pathways in HFD fed rats.
