[Animal modeling] - Protective effect of Xiaoxianxiong decoction on vascular endothelium in hyperlipidemia mice

  Objective To investigate the effect of Xiaoxianxiong decoction on vascular endothelial injury in hyperlipidemia mice.

  Methods Thirty six C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group, model group and low-dose group (0 03 g/mL Xiaoxianxiong Decoction), medium dose group (0 06 g/mL Xiaoxianxiong Decoction), high-dose group (0 12 g/mL Xiaoxianxiong Decoction) and lovastatin (2 Lovastatin 5 mg/kg), 6 rats in each group, were fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks to establish the HLP model and given corresponding drugs for intervention. During the administration, the general behavioral status of mice in each group was observed and weighed once a week; Histopathological changes of aortic vessels were observed by HE staining; The expression of von Willebrand factor (vWF) in mouse aorta was detected by immunohistochemistry; The mRNA levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tyrosine protein kinase Eph receptor B4 (EphB4) and its membrane attachment ligand B2 (EphrinB2) in mouse aorta were detected by qRT-PCR; The levels of VEGF, EphB4 and EphrinB2 proteins in mouse aorta were detected by Western blot.

  Results Compared with the control group, the activity and food intake of the model group mice were reduced, the hair was poor, the body weight was increased, and the expression levels of vWF, VEGF, EphB4, EphrinB2 in aortic tissues were increased; Compared with the model group, the activity and food intake of mice in each dose group of Xiaoxianxiong Decoction and Lovastatin group increased, the hair was bright, the body weight decreased, and the expression levels of vWF, VEGF, EphB4, EphrinB2 in aortic tissue decreased (P<0 05); Compared with the low-dose group, the mRNA and protein expression levels of VEGF, EphB4 and EphrinB2 in the aorta of mice in the middle and high dose groups decreased (P<0 05)。

  Conclusion Xiaoxianxiong decoction can inhibit the development of HLP and protect the vascular endothelium in mice.