川芎、赤芍及其有效部位配伍对载脂蛋白E基因缺陷小鼠动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性影响的研究

目的观察活血中药川芎、赤芍及其有效部位配伍——芎芍胶囊（川芎总酚和赤芍总苷）对载脂蛋白E基因缺陷（ApoE-/-）小鼠动脉粥样硬化（AS）斑块稳定性的影响,并初步探讨其作用机理。方法在复制ApoE-/-小鼠AS模型基础上,采用普通光镜、免疫组化及计算机图像分析方法,从AS斑块的病理形态学、细胞构成、炎症反应等方面,观察活血中药川芎、赤芍及其有效部位配伍芎芍胶囊稳定斑块的效果及作用机理。结果ApoE-/-小鼠继喂高脂饮食26周后,主动脉根部出现明显AS病变,具有典型不稳定斑块特点。川芎、赤芍都有降低总胆固醇（TC）和增加纤维帽厚度作用,川芎尚可降低甘油三酯（TG）、减少脂质核面积（脂质中心/斑块面积）和巨噬细胞浸润,而芎芍胶囊兼具以上作用,且能升高高密度脂蛋白（HDL-C）、降低TC/HDL-C、减少炎症反应、增加斑块中胶原面积。结论川芎、赤芍干预动脉粥样硬化的环节不尽相同,其有效部位配伍而成的芎芍胶囊对不稳定斑块干预作用更为明显,显示出中药配伍增效的作用,值得深入研究。

Study on the Effect of Rhizoma Chuanxiong,Radix Paeoniae Rubra and the Compound of Their Active Ingredients, Xiongshao Capsule, on Stability of Atherosclerotic Plaque in ApoE(-/-) Mice

Objective To observe the effect of Rhizoma chuanxiong (RC),Radix Paeoniae rubra (RP) and Xiongshao Capsule (XC, a compound of their active ingredients, Chuanxingols and Paeoniflorins) on stability of atherosclerotic plaque in ApoE-/- mice and to explore the probable mechanisms. MethodsThe effect of RC, RP and XC in stabilizing atherosclerotic plaque, in terms of pathologic morphology, cell composition and inflammatory reaction, in the atherosclerosis model established on ApoE-/- mice was studied by using optical microscope, immunohistochemical method and computerized imaging analysis respectively. ResultsAfter the ApoE-/- mice being fed with high fat diet for 26 weeks, obvious atherosclerotic lesion with typical unstable characteristics was found in their aortic root. Both RC and RP had certain effects in lowering total cholesterol and increasing the thickness of fibre cap. RC could also lower the serum triglyceride (TC) level and the lipid-core/plaque area ratio as well as reduce the macrocytic infiltration. In addition to the same effects as above mentioned, XS could also raise the levels of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), lower TC/HDL-C ratio, reduce inflammatory reaction and enlarge the collagen area in plaque. ConclusionThe acting links of RC and RP on atherosclerosis are different, the compound of their active ingredients, XS, shows a more evident effect in intervening unstable plaque. It demonstrates the effect-enhancing power of TCM compound and is worth further studying.