Purpose: To investigate the effect of Tongxinluo (TXL), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on aortic biological variation after angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced vascular oxidative injury.
Methods: Randomly, 50 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into three groups: sham, Ang II, and Ang II+TXL. A pump with Ang II was embedded in the rat backs in the Ang II and Ang II+TXL groups, whereas a pump
containing physiological saline was emplaced in the sham group. TXL was delivered through a gastric tube in the Ang II+TXL group. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nitric oxide (NO) in the plasma were examined 14 days later; the aortic endothelial cells were observed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM); the expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), nuclear factor-кB (NF-кB), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-l. (VCAM-1) were measured via immunohistochemistry assays; apoptotic cells were investigated with
DeadEndTM colorimetric TUNEL System; and the NAD(P)H oxidase subunit P22phox mRNA was examined through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.
Results: The plasma concentrations of ET-1 and TNF-α increased significantly in the Ang II group in comparison with the sham one, but decreased in the Ang II+TXL group. The same observations occurred regarding NF-кB, VCAM-1, apoptosis and P22phox mRNA expressions in the aortic tissues. However, eNOS expression in the aorta produced a reverse response, which was ameliorated significantly by TXL.
Conclusion: The findings suggested that TXL could play a potential role in inhibiting the oxidative injury induced by Ang II by reducing the inflammation and the apoptotic process via the P22phox pathway.