[Animal modeling] - Study on the effect of Tongxinluo on the early pathological changes of calcified aortic valvular disease in mice

  Objective To observe whether Tongxinluo intervention can delay the progression of calcified aortic valvular disease in the early stage.

  Methods One week after modeling, the mice were randomly divided into five groups: sham operation group, model group, Tongxinluo large dose group, Tongxinluo medium dose group, Tongxinluo small dose group. After Tongxinluo intervention for 6 weeks, the peak velocity of aortic valve was detected by Doppler ultrasound; Serum myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and total cholesterol (TC) concentration were detected; Histopathological changes and calcium deposition of aortic valve were observed by pathology; Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the macrophage infiltration in valve lobule and the differentiation of valve interstitial cells into myofibroblast and osteoblast.

  Results After 6 weeks of Tongxinluo intervention, compared with the model group, Tongxinluo could significantly reduce the peak flow velocity of aortic valve (P<0.05), serum total cholesterol level and serum MPO activity (P<0.01); Compared with the Tongxinluo intervention group, the thickness of aortic valve lobule in the model group increased significantly (P<0.05) and showed calcium deposition; Immunohistochemical results showed that; Compared with the model group, the recruitment of macrophages in the Tongxinluo intervention group was reduced, α- The expression of SMA and OPN positive cells decreased.

  Conclusion In the early stage of calcified aortic valvular disease, Tongxinluo can reduce the oxidative stress in the lesion by reducing the concentration of serum TC, inhibiting the infiltration of inflammatory macrophages and reducing the activity of MPO, thereby affecting the differentiation of valve interstitial cells into myofibroblast and osteoblast, and delaying the progress of valve calcification.