A Clinical-Contral Intervention Study On The Patients With Carotid Atherosclerosis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the intervention effect on the patients with carotid atherosclerosis who were diagnosed "cerebral blood supply unsatisfaction", the changes of IMT and serum levels of MCP-1,OX-LDL in the test group and the control group were observed .METHODS: 60 patients with carotid atherosclerosis complicated by cerebral blood supply unsatisfaction , 30 of whom,as the test group, were treated with Tongxinluo (dose:4 tid ) and the rest, as the control group,were given Simvastatin (dose: 20mg qd ) and aspirin (dose:75mg qd) for treatment 6 months. Before and after the treatment, determine the IMT of carotid artery, measure OX-LDL and MCP-1 in serum .Compare the changes between the different treat groups after 6 -month treatment.RESULTS: (1) The levels of serum OX-LDL, either in the patients of the test group, or of the control group were decreased significantly (p<0.001). The changes of the levels of serum MCP-1 in patients of the two groups were significantly decreased (pO.OOl). (2) The levels of serum OX-LDL of the two groups had no difference at the first (p>0.05) .After 6 months treating , the levels of serum OX-LDL of thecontrol group were lower significantly than that of the test group(p<0.001). (3) The levels of serum MCP-1 of the two groups had no difference at the first (p>0.05) . After 6 months treating , the levels of serum MCP-1 of the test group were lower significantly than that of the control group(p<0.001). (4) The carotid artery IMT of the test group and the control group began to become a little thicker after having been given treating in 6 months, but the changes were not significant (p>0.05). (5) After 6 months treating, 1/3 of the control group patients complained about dizziness, sometimes having swaying gait. The patients of the test group were symptomless after giving Tongxinluo 6 months. (6) During 6 months treatment course, there was no significant side effect occurrenced..CONCLUTION: This study revealed that the therapies both of the test group and the control group were effective in treating carotid atherosclerosis. The efficiency of the two therapies were nearly equal. The therapy with Aspirin and Simvastatin is more effective in decreasing the levels of OX-LDL. Tongxinluo can decrease the serum levels of MCP-1 more effectively. During 6 months treatment course, there was no significant side effect occurrenced.. This drug is safe in treating carotid atherosclerosis. The research suggests its possibly curative mechanisms.