The Experimental Study Of Qi Ju Capsule On The Effects Of Collagen Content, Calcineurin Activation And The Expression Of Cardiac Proto-Oncogene N-ras MRNA In The Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Of Spontaneous Hypertension Rats

Objective The experimental study was carried out to measure the effects of collagen content, calcineurin (CaN) activation and N-ras mRNA levels in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) of spontaneous hypertension rats (SHR) to explore the mechanism of Qi Ju capsule for preventing LVH. Methods 32 SHR were randomly divided into four groups: Model group, Qi Ju capsule group, Benazepril group, Qi Ju capsule and benazepril group. The fed dose was 20 times dose of human body and the treatment duration was 12 weeks. Other 8 SD rats were as control group. Blood pressure was measured and the general condition was observed every week. After 12 week, blood pressure curve was drawn. Rats were put into death, their hearts were taken out from the chest quickly and then atrium and right ventricle were sheared off accurately at 12 weeks. Left ventricular weight, collagen content, CaN activation and microstruture were detected in every one and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was used to measure the expression of cardiac proto-oncogene N-ras mRNA.Results Qi Ju capsule could reduce left ventricular weight, lower blood pressure, reduce collagen content, decrease CaN activation and N-ras mRNA levels and make microstruture stale as well. Compared with benazepril, thefunction of lowering CaN activation of Qi Ju capsule was stronger(P<0.05), improving general condition of Qi Ju capsule was better and the lowering blood pressure of Qi Ju capsule was weaken. There was no marked difference in reducing left ventricular weight and decreasing collagen content and N-ras mRNA levels in those two groups. Compared with Qi Ju capsule, the function of reducing left ventricular weight, lowering blood pressure, reducing collagen content and decreasing CaN activation and N-ras mRNA levels of Qi Ju capsule and benazepril therapy was stronger(p<0.05). Compared with benazepril, Qi Ju capsule and benazepril therapy was stronger(p<0.05) in the function of decreasing CaN activation and improving general condition. Qi Ju capsule and benazepril therapy was equal to benazepril in the lowering blood pressure.Conclusions Qi Ju capsule could prevent left ventricular hypertrophy . The mechanism was related to both the lowering blood pressure and the reducing CaN activation, reduce CaN-depended signal pathway so as to lower the expression of cellular oncogene N-ras mRNA and inhibit progress of left ventricular hypertrophy . Also both Qi Ju capsule and benazepril therapy were better than only one in preventing LVH.