芍药苷抗ApoE基因缺失小鼠动脉粥样硬化作用的初步研究

目的:探讨芍药苷(paeoniflorin,PF)对ApoE(apolipoprotein E,载脂蛋白E)基因缺失(ApoE^-/-)小鼠动脉粥样硬化的作用。方法:采用紫外可见分光光度法测定体外芍药苷的抗氧化能力包括还原力、过氧化自由基清除能力以及DPPH自由基清除能力。18只雄性ApoE^-/-小鼠随机分为芍药苷组和生理盐水组,ApoE^-/-小鼠高脂喂养8周,于第6周开始灌胃给予60 mg·kg^-1芍药苷,qd,持续8周。小鼠眼眶取血,分离血浆,检测小鼠血浆中总胆固醇(TC),三酰甘油(TG)、游离胆固醇(FC)以及SOD水平。小鼠脱臼处死后分离胸腹主动脉,油红O染色检测胸腹主动脉的脂质沉积。结果:0.2 mg·ml^-1维生素C甲醇溶液与32 mg·ml^-1芍药苷甲醇溶液的还原力相当,随着剂量增加芍药苷还原力升高。DPPH自由基清除力也随着剂量增加而增加,其中,0.8 mg·ml^-1芍药苷甲醇溶液具有约50% DPPH自由基清除力。同时, 4 mg·ml^-1芍药苷甲醇溶液具有约50%过氧化自由基清除力。动物实验研究结果表明:芍药苷组小鼠血浆SOD水平升高26.9%,与生理盐水组比较,差异显著(P<0.01)。60 mg·kg^-1芍药苷显著降低小鼠血浆中TC和TG水平(P<0.05),但对血浆中FC水平作用不明显。与生理盐水组比较,芍药苷组腹主动脉脂质沉积显著减少(P<0.05)。结论:芍药苷可延缓ApoE^-/-小鼠动脉粥样硬化的发展,其机制可能与其抗氧化及降低血脂水平有关。

Primary study on effects of paeoniflorin against experimental atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice

OBJECTIVE To investigate the atheroprotective effects of paeoniflorin in ApoE^-/- mice.METHODS Antioxidant capacity of paeoniflorin, including reducing power, peroxide free radical scavenging and DPPH free radical scavenging effects, was detected by using the method of UV-visible spectrophotometry. A total of 18 male ApoE^-/- mice were randomly divided into paeoniflorin group and saline group, and fed with high fat diet for eight weeks. At the sixth week, 60 mg·kg^-1 paeoniflorin was given by oral gavage for eight weeks q.d. Blood was collected from mice eyes. The activity of plasma SOD was detected with SOD kit. The concentrations of plasma TC, TG, and FC were also measured respectively. Thoracoabdominal aorta was isolated and the area of lipid plaque in thoracoabdominal aorta was observed by oil red O staining.RESULTS The reducing power of 32 mg·ml^-1 paeoniflorin was equivalent with 0.2 mg·ml^-1 vitamin C in methanol solution. 0.8 mg·ml^-1 paeoniflorin methanol solution had about 50% DPPH radical scavenging capacity and 4 mg·ml^-1 paeoniflorin methanol solution had about 50% peroxide scavenging capacity. The reducing power of paeoniflorin and inhibition rate of free radical DPPH increased with dose of paeoniflorin. The results of animal experiments showed that, compared with saline group, the activity of plasma SOD in the paeoniflorin group increased by 26.9% (P<0.01). Plasma TC and TG levels were significantly reduced in paeoniflorin group (P<0.05), but there was no obvious change in FC level between two groups. More importantly, the deposited plaque on thoracoabdominal aorta was reduced in paeoniflorin group (P<0.05).CONCLUSION Paeoniflorin can inhibit development of atherosclerosis through reducing blood lipids and antioxidant capacity.