Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill Improves Peripheral Microvascular Blood Flow via Cystathionine-γ-Lyase

Med Sci Monit. 2019 Aug 22:25:6313-6321. doi: 10.12659/MSM.916266.

Abstract

BACKGROUND To explore the protective effects of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STP) in improving peripheral microvascular dysfunction in mice and to explore the involved mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS A peripheral microvascular dysfunction model was established by combined myocardial infarction (MI) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection in mice. Then, the mice were randomized into a model group (n=10) or an STP group (n=10), which were treated with normal saline and STP, respectively. The cremaster muscle microvascular blood flow velocity and numbers of leukocytes adherent to the venular wall were evaluated before and after drug intervention. We assessed the expression of adhesion molecule CD11b and related transcript factor FOXO1 in leukocytes, cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) mRNA expression in the cremaster muscle, and mitochondrial DNA copy numbers. RESULTS Compared with those of control mice, the cremaster microvascular blood flow velocity, cremaster CSE expression, and mitochondrial DNA copy number in mice from the model group were significantly lower and leukocyte adhesion and CD11b and FOXO1 expression were significantly higher. Intervention with STP could significantly increase the cremaster microvascular flow velocity (0.480±0.010 mm/s vs. 0.075±0.005 mm/s), mRNA expression of cremaster CSE, and mitochondrial DNA copy number, but it inhibited leukocyte adhesion and decreased leukocyte CD11b and FOXO1 expression. CONCLUSIONS STP significantly improved peripheral microcirculation, in which increased CSE expression might be the underlying mechanism.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Flow Velocity / drug effects
  • CD11b Antigen / analysis
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects
  • Cystathionine gamma-Lyase / analysis
  • Cystathionine gamma-Lyase / metabolism*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / metabolism
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology*
  • Forkhead Box Protein O1 / analysis
  • Hydrogen Sulfide / pharmacology
  • Leukocytes / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microcirculation / drug effects
  • Microvessels / drug effects*
  • Muscles / blood supply
  • Random Allocation
  • Regional Blood Flow / drug effects

Substances

  • CD11b Antigen
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Forkhead Box Protein O1
  • Foxo1 protein, mouse
  • Itgam protein, mouse
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • shexiang tongxin
  • Cystathionine gamma-Lyase
  • Hydrogen Sulfide