| Objective Guanxinshutong (GXST) capsule, a combination of thetraditional herb and Mongolian medicine, is a new Chinese patent drug. Thecomponents of GXST are Choerospondias axillaris, Salvia miltiorrhiza,Syzygium aromaticum, borneol and concretio silicea bambusae. It plays animportant role in promoting blood and qi circulation, removing blood stasis andactivating the meridians and collaterals. Clinical trials have shown that GXST iseffective and safe for treating angina pectoris. Preliminary animal experimentalso showed that GXST can reduce the myocardial infarct size and myocardialenzymes following acute myocardial infarction in rats. This study thereforeaimed to further assess the cardioprotective effects of GXST against myocardialischemia injury in rats and explore its possible mechanism.Methods①Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (MI/R) was induced byligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) for30min,followed by2h/24h reperfusion. Rats were randomized into three groups: non-MI/R group (Sham), MI/R group treated with vehicle (Control) and MI/Rgroup treated with GXST (Drug). Blood samples were collected after2h ofreperfusion, to determine the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6) and intercellular adhesionmolecule-1(ICAM-1) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays(ELASA);nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activity was analyzed through western blot;apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediateddUTP-biotin nick end-labeling assay(TUNEL). Infarct size was measured ineach group after24-h reperfusion through Evans Blue/TriphenyltetrazoliumChloride(TTC).②Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was achieved bypermanent ligation of the LAD. Rats were randomized into three groups:non-AMI group (Sham), AMI group treated with vehicle (Control) and AMIgroup treated with GXST (Drug). After four weeks of treatment followingsurgery, measurement of left ventriclar function was conducted; scar size andfibrosis were analyzed through Masson staining; apoptosis was determined byTUNEL assay.Result①GXST significantly decreased levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6,ICAM-1, apoptosis index (AI), infarct size and also obviously inhibited NF-κBactivity following MI/R injury (all P <0.05).②GXST is effective in protectingleft ventricular function, alleviating fibrosis, reducing scar size and decreasingAI4weeks after AMI in rats.Conclusion GXST is effective in protecting the myocardium againstmyocardial ischemia injury in rats. It did not only protect against acute MI/Rinjury, but also had a long-term protective effect on AMI. |
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