Effect Of Total Saponins Of Panax Noto-ginseny To Promote Endothelial Repair After Balloon Endothelial Denudation Of Rabbit Iliac Artery

AIMTo investigate the effect of total Saponins of Panax noto-ginseny (PNS) on augmenting endothelial regeneration and function after balloon endothelial denudation of rabbit iliac artery.METHODSThe morphology changes of the endothelium were observed with common and scanning electron microscope after balloon endothelial denudation of rabbit iliac artery at 0, 4, 6, and 8 weeks respectively. Phenylephrine (PE)-induced vascular muscle tension and acetylcholine (Ach)-induced endothelium dependent relaxation were simultaneously determined. Meanwhile, express of VEGF and MMP-2 was also determined by immunohistochemistry. In the base of previous studies, we selected the best stage after balloon endothelial denudation of rabbit iliac artery and established another animal models using to PNS studies. Three doses of PNS(10, 30, 50 mg/kg) were injected by vein once a day from 2 days before operation. At 4th weeks, the animals were put to death and the morphology changes of the endothelium, Ach-induced relaxation and expression of VEGF and MMP-2 were determined.RESULTS(1) The endothelium was denudated completely and Ach-induced relaxation was abolished after balloon endothelial denudation of rabbit iliac artery. At 4th week, though the endothelium began to be repaired, Ach-induced relaxation was still abolished. Then at 6 th and 8 th weeks, endothelial regeneration and Ach-induced relaxation were recovered gradually.(2) At 4th week after balloon endothelial denudation of rabbit iliac artery, endothelial regeneration in PNS 30, 50 mg/kg groups was significantly faster than Aspirin (4.67 mg/kg) and negative control groups. Simultaneously PNS markedly augmented Ach-induced relaxation in a dose-dependent manner. In the group of PNS10 mg/kg Ach-induced relaxation was the same as Aspirin (4.67 mg/kg) group (P>0.05), but in PNS 50 mg/kg group Ach-induced relaxation was approached to that in normal control group.(3) With immunohistochemistry, PNS stimulated the expression of VEGF and MMP-2 in the damaged vessels.CONCLUSION(1) 4th week after balloon endothelial denudation of rabbit iliac artery is the best stage to observe the effect of drug to endothelium.(2) PNS can promote the endothelial regeneration and the recover of endothelium dependent relaxation. Thus PNS can be used to treat vascular restenosis.(3) Above effects of PNS on the endothelium is possibly related to stimulating the expression of VEGF and MMP-2.