The Experimental Study Of The Effects Of Salvia Miltiorrhiza And Garlic On The Stability Of Atherosclerotic Plaque

Background The instability of the atherosclerotic plaque and plaque rupture are the basic pathophysiological mechanismof acute coronary syndrome, including unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction and sudden death. The mature atherosclerotic plaque consists of two main components: soft, lipid-rich component and a hard, collagen-rich component. The composition of the atherosclerotic plaque is a crucial determinant of its vulnerability. It is the thickness of the plaque cap that determines the risk of the plaque rupture rather than stenosis severity in itself. Matrix metallopoteinases can digest extracellular matrix and decrease the thickness of the cap. The endothelial overlying the vulnerable plaque participate actively in fibrous cap destruction by overexpressing matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and intercellular adhesive molecular-1 (ICAM-1), it play an important role in the rapture of the plaque. Objective The effects of oxidized low lipoprotein and the macrophages interacton with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) on the HUVEC expression of the MMP9 and ICAM-1 were observed by co-incubating HUVECs with oxidized low lipoprotein and macrophages respectively. The effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Garlic on the stability of atherosclerotic plaque were observed by co-incubating HUVECs with oxidized low lipoprotein, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Garli, and co-incubating HUVECs with macrophages, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Garli respectively. Methods and Results 1.HUVECs were incubated with ox-LDL, n-LDL, Salvia miltiorrhiza and Garlic for about 12 to 24 hours respectively, the techniques of ELISA and cell immunohistochemical method were used in order to study the expression of the MMP9 and ICAM-1. 2 HUVECs were incubated with macrophages, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Garlic for 16hours respectively, the techniques of ELISA method were used in order to study the expression of the MMP9. Result: After incubation with ox-LDL for 12hours and 24hours, human umbilical vein endothelial were stimulated to express the MMP9 and ICAM-1. When co-incubating HUVECs with oxidized low lipoprotein, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Garlic respectively, the result indicated that the expression of MMP9 and ICAM-1 on HUEVCs in the groups which treated with Salvia miltiorrhiza was significantly decreased, the expression of MMP9 and ICAM-1 on HUEVCs in the groups which treated with Garlic was significantly decreased also. After incubation with macrophages for 16 hours, human umbilical vein endothelial were stimulated to express the MMP9, When co-incubating HUVECs with, macrophages, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Garlic respectively, the result indicated that the expression of MMP9 and ICAM-1 on HUEVCs in the groups which treated with Salvia miltiorrhiza was significantly decreased, the expression of MMP9 and ICAM-1 on HUEVCs in the groups which treated with Garlic was significantly decreased also. Conclusion: Oxidized low lipoprotein or macrophages can increase the expression of the MMP9 and ICAM-1 on HUEVCs, when co-incubating HUVECs with oxidized low lipoprotein and macrophages respectively. Salvia miltiorrhiza and Garlic can decreased the expression of the MMP9 and ICAM-1 on HUEVCs. They play an important role in increasing the insability of the atherosclerotic plaque.