Effects and mechanism of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu decoction on arterial inflammation in rats with diabetes induced lower extremity atherosclerotic occlusion
WANG Pei-yu,JIA Zhen,ZHAO Gang
Abstract:
Objective To observe the therapeutic mechanism of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu decoction on diabetic lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans in rats. Methods A total of 48 experimental rats were randomly assigned to four groups: model, low-dose traditional Chinese medicine, high-dose traditional Chinese medicine, and blank control, each consisting of 12 rats. The low -dose and high -dose traditional Chinese medicine groups received 1 and 2 times equivalent doses of traditional Chinese medicine decoction by gavage,respectively, whereas the model and blank control groups got normal saline by gavage for 4 weeks. The rats'overall conditions, body weight, and blood glucose levels were assessed 24 hours after their previous injection.Serum levels of TNF-a, IL-16, NO and ET-1 were measured using ELISA. We assessed the density of new blood vessels in the gastrocnemius muscle, examined arterial pathological alterations using HE staining, and detected protein expression levels of the HIF -1琢/VEGF pathway using Western blotting. Results In comparison to the blank control group, rats in the low-dose Chinese medicine group, high-dose Chinese medicine group, and model group had a lower mental state, decreased activity, increased blood sugar, elevated serum inflammatory markers, and impaired vascular endothelial function. Compared to the model group, rats in the lowdose Chinese medicine group had better mental state, more active actions, lower blood sugar, lower serum inflammatory factors, more perfect endothelial cell function, higher density of new blood vessels ingastrocnemius, and higher expression levels of HIF-1a and VEGF proteins (p<0.05). Compared to the low-dose Chinese medicine group, the high-dose Chinese group showed lower blood sugar, serum inflammatory markers, NO level, ET-1 level, higher density of new blood vessels in gastrocnemius, and higher expression level of VEGF protein (p<0.05). Conclusion Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu decoction may help cure diabetic arteriosclerosis obliterans in the lower limbs by modulating the HIF -1a/VEGF signal pathway, decreasing local inflammation, and increasing endothelial cell function.
