Effect Of Berberine On Atherosclerosis And Its Inhibition On The Expression Of Cyclooxygenase-2 In Rabbits Artery

Objective: To determine the suppression effects of berberine on progression of experimental atherosclerosis and investigate the mechanism of its effects. Methods: 24 male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, untreated cholesterol-fed group, berberine treated group, aspirin treated group. The rabbits of control group were fed a standard rabbit chow. To induce experimental atherosclerosis, the rabbits were fed a 1% cholesterol diet at 120 g/d for 12 weeks. Indexes were measured as follow.1) Plasma levels of TG, TC, LDLC and HDLC were determined by using BECKMAN LX20 PRO Clinical Chemistry Systems.2) The thoracic aortas were dissected and stained with Sudan red IV. Each aorta was photographed and the percent area of the atheromatous lesions was calculated by using the Leica Qwin Image Processing and Analysis toolkit.3) Sections taken from the aorta arch area were stained conventionally with HE. The maximum and average plaque thickness, the proportion of the intimal circumference occupied by atheroma were calculated by using the Leica Qwin Image Processing and Analysis toolkit. The microscopic area analyses were taken with the same computer system.4) Expression of COX-2, vascular smooth muscle cells and macrophages in atherosclerosis plaque was analyzed qualitatively by using immunohistochemcal technology.Results:1) Plasma levels of TC and HDLC in berberine treated group were decreased significantly (by 28.88% and 40.94% respectively) compared with that in untreated cholesterol-fed group (P<0.01). Plasma levels of HDLC and TG in berberine treated group were not founded different from untreated cholesterol-fed group (P>0.05). Plasma levels of TC, HDLC, HDLC and TG in aspirin treated group were not founded different from untreated cholesterol-fed group (P>0.05).