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BackgrBackground: We found that Tongluo Decoction has had
good protection for myocardial cells injury of CME rats. But it is not clear
whether Tongluo Decoction has inhibitory effect on myocardial apoptosis. So we
want to study the effect and mechanism of Tongluo decoction to cardiomyocyte
apoptosis following coronary microembolization in rats. Methods: 46 male Wistar
rats were randomly divided into blank group (n=6), model group (n=10), Tongluo Decoction
low dose group (n=10), Tongluo Decoction high dose group (n=10) and Tongxinluo
group (n=10). In addition to the blank group, the rats of other groups were
established the model of autologous thromboembolism microembolism by
interventional method. The low dose group of Tongluo Decoction was given
7.8g/kg for gavaging, the high dose group of Tongluo Decoction was given
23.4g/kg, Tongxinluo group was given 0.2g/kg, once-a-day, for 12 day. The
judgment of the model was done with HE and HBFP staining, the myocardial
apoptosis rate was observed by TUNEL staining. Western Blot was used to detect
Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 in cardiac myocytes.
Results: The microembolization vessel count ratio, ischemic
myocardial area ratio and the apoptosis rate of myocardial cells
in model group were significantly higher than that in blank group, bcl-2
and bcl-2/bax decreased, and bax and caspase-3 were
significantly increased (P < 0.05).Compared with model group, Tongluo
Decoction low dose group, Tongluo Decoction high dose
group and Tongxinluo group microembolization vessel count ratioischemic
myocardial area ratio apoptosis rate decreased (P <
0.05), bcl-2, bcl-2/bax increased, Bax and caspase-3 decreased (P <
0.05). Compared with Tongxinluo group, the ratio of ischemic
myocardial area, microembolization vessel count ratio, apoptosis rate,
the expression of bax and caspase-3 proteins decreased (P
> 0.05), bcl-2 and bcl-2/bax ratio increased in Tongluo Decoction
high dose group (P > 0.05). bcl-2 and bcl-2/bax ratio increased
obviously in Tongluo Decoction low dose group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Tongluo Decoction can inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis following coronary microembolization in rats, and its
possible mechanism is related to blocking mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.
Keywords: Tongluodecoction; Rat; Coronary microembolization; Cardiomyocyte apoptosis
Abbrivations: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); Coronary microembolization (CME); Hematoxylin-Eosin staining
(HE); Hematoxylin basic fuchsin picric staining (HBFP); Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP Nick End-Labeling
(TUNEL); High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); Tongluo decoction (TLD); Optical density (OD); Bcl-2 Assaciated X
protein (Bax); Cysteinyl aspartate specific protease-3 (Caspase-3); B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)
Introduction
In the process of percutaneous coronary intervention which
is used to treat coronary heart disease, the small fragments
that come from mechanical injury of coronary atherosclerosis,
with the flow of blood circulation to the distal coronary artery,
block the distal microvascular, which leading to the obstruction
of coronary microvascular circulation, that is coronary
microembolization(CME). CME is a serious complication of PCI,
which can cause myocardial ischemia and cardiac dysfunction,
and even lead to death. Numerous experimental studies [1, 2]
have shown that apoptosis plays an important role in CME lesions.
The research showed that Chinese materia medica can improve
myocardial injury caused by coronary microembolization [3].
We found that Tongluo Decoction has had good protection for
myocardial cells injury of CME rats. The Tongluo decoction could
inhibit the pathological change of CME in rats, reducing the ingury
of myocardial cells, inhibiting the expression of inflammatory
cytokines and promoting the microemboli vascular recanalization
[4]. But it is not clear whether Tongluo Decoction has inhibitory
effect on myocardial apoptosis of CME rats. Therefore, in this
study, we established coronary artery microembolization model of
rats by injecting autologous thrombus through the right common
carotid artery by interventional method with balloon catheter [5].
The effect and mechanism of Tongluo Decoction on cardiomyocyte
apoptosis following CME in rats were studied.
Methods
Preparation and quality control of tongluo decoction
Tongluo Decoction mainly consisted of eight herbs: [6-
8] The composition and proportion of herbs are shown in the
diagram (Figure 1, Table 1). The herbs was purchased from
the Hui ren Tang Pharmaceutical Company, and they were
identified by Jianyin Li, a teacher of Lanzhou University school
of pharmacy.(The voucher specimen numbers of the stored
herbarium specimen are 62032120180807063LY for Astragali
Radix, 620031220010918321LY for Radix ginseng Rubra,
62062319980910435LY for Fructus Corni, 62032120180811156LY
for Radix Paeonia Rubra, 62032120180807062LY for
Radix Bupleuri, 62062320130815322LY for Rhizoma
Cimicifugae, 62032120180805049LY for Radix Platycodonis,
62032120180812164LY for Radix Glycyrrhizae. ) This herbs that
was conformed to the prescription, all of them were qualified,
decocted, concentrated, and then put in refrigerator at 4. The
chromatographic conditions were Diamonsil C18 (2) column
(200×4.6mm, 5μm), the liquid phase of the calycosin glycoside
(batch number 111920-201606, National institutes for food and
drug control) mobile phase: acetonitrile -0.2% formic acid solution
(15:85), flow velocity:1ml/min, column temperature: 30, detection
wavelength: 260nm, sample size: 10μl. Paeoniflorin (batch number
X27F8C30162, Shanghai source leaf Biological Technology Co.,
Ltd.) mobile phase: acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid solution
(16:84). Flow velocity, column temperature and sample size remain
unchanged. Detection wavelength: 230nm; Ginsenoside Rb1 (batch
number Z06M8L30693, Shanghai source leaf Biotechnology Co.,
Ltd.) mobile phase: acetonitrile -0.1% phosphoric acid solution,
gradient elution. Flow velocity, column temperature and sample
size remain unchanged. The detection wavelength: 203nm. To
calculate the content of calycosin glycoside, paeoniflorin and
ginsenoside Rb1.
Figure 1: Composition of main herbs and their proportion in Tongluo Decoction.
Table 1: The full scientific species names of ingredients of Tongluo Decoction.
Preparation of autologous thrombus suspension
1ml blood was collected from the caudal vein of each rat , then
drying, the dry blood was grinded into powder like particles. The
thrombus particles with a diameter between 41μm and 80μm
were mixed into a suspension, and 2×105 thrombus particles were
injected into the the aortic root through the right common carotid
artery for establishing coronary artery microembolization model.
Animals grouping and model establishment
46 SPF healthy adult male Wistar rats (weight 350g±30g) were
randomly divided into blank group (n=6), model group (n=10),
Tongluo Decoction low dose group (n=10), Tongluo Decoction high
dose group (n=10), Tongxinluo group (n=10). The experimental
animals were purchased from the experimental animal center of
Lanzhou University. The laboratory animal license number SCXK
(Gan) 2013-0002. The experimental process adhered to the ethical
regulations of animal experiments. The rats were anesthetized
with 0.4% pentobarbital sodium solution, separated the right
common carotid artery and cut the “V” incision at its distal end.
The balloon catheter, which was soaked with heparin sodium
saline, was pushed to the root of the aorta (about 4cm from the
incision of right common carotid artery to the aortic root ), and
the blood flow of the ascending aorta was blocked for 3-5s, rapidly
withdrawing the guide wire during the period, and the autologous
thrombus suspension was injected. Balloon catheter was pulled
out, the proximal heart segment of the right common carotid artery
was ligated. Penicillin 4×105 U/each was given for 3 days after the
operation to prevent infection.
Drug intervention
The daily dosage of the low dose group of Tongluo Decoction
was calculated according to the conversion ratio of the 1:6.25 in the
rats [5]. The dosage of the high dose group of Tongluo Decoction was
3 times that of the low dose group of Tongluo Decoction. Tongxinluo
capsule (Shijiazhuang Yiling pharmaceutical Limited by Share Ltd)
uses 9grains/day dose, dissolve it in double steamed water and
intragastric gavage. Tongxinluo capsule is purchased from Hui
Ren Tang Pharmaceutical Company and its specification is 0.26g/
granules. The rats of each group were given the corresponding drug
by intragastric gavage for 12 days. During the test, 3 rats died in
each of the model group, low dose group of Tongluo Decoction, high
dose group of Tongluo Decoction and Tongxinluo group during the
modeling process, and 1 died in Tongxinluo group after gavage.
Collection of heart specimens
After the drug intervention, all rats were sacrificed by cervical
dislocation under anesthesia by intraperitoneally injected
0.4% sodium pentobarbital solution 1ml per 100g body weight.
Then rat heart was collected. The apex of heart was fixed in 4%
polycondensation formaldehyde solution. After dehydration and
paraffin embedded, 5μm consecutive paraffin sections were used
to HE and other staining. The base of the heart was immediately
placed in a pre-freezing storage tube, stored at liquid nitrogen, and
used to detect cardiomyocyte apoptosis protein by Western Blot.
HE and HBFP staining of rat myocardium
After the apex staining of heart paraffin section of rats in each
group with HE and HBFP, the staining sections were observed by
three researchers under 400× and 100× microscope respectively
to calculate the microembolization vessel count ratio, ischemic
myocardial area ratio.
Detection of cardiomyocyte apoptosis by TUNEL
The pathological tissue section of the rat in each group was
treated with anti-shedding. According to the TUNEL instructions
(Boster Co., Ltd., Wuhan) to stain. The number of cardiomyocyte
apoptosis and the number of total cells under the microscope
were observed by three researchers under 400× microscope,
and the apoptosis rate of myocardial cells was calculated and the
apoptosis level of cardiac myocytes was evaluated. Apoptosis rate
(%)=(the number of apoptotic cells/the total cell number under
microscope)×100.
Western Blot was used to detect the expression of
cardiomyocyte apopt-osis proteins
To extract the protein of myocardial tissue, according to the
instructions of the kit (Solarbio Science and Technology Co., Ltd.
Beijing). The OD value was measured, and the standard protein
curve was drawn. Then calculating the protein concentration.
Prepare 12% separation glue and 5% concentration glue, 160 V
constant pressure electrophoresis 100min, and PVDF membrane
was then transferred, followed by incubation for 2h with blocking
buffer containing 5% Non-fat milk powder. Diluting and putting
relevant primary antibodies, bcl2, bax, caspase3, and GAPDH
respectively (Biosynthesis biotechnology Co., Ltd. Beijing), with
gentle shaking overnight at 4. Afterwards, the membrane was
incubated with secondary antibody(purchased from SAB) for 1h at
room temperature, then washing and exposing.
Data statistics method
The SPSS 22.0 statistics software was used to analyze the data,
and the measurement data were expressed with mean±standard
deviation (x±s). Single factor variance( one-way ANOVA) was used
in comparison of multiple groups. And P < 0.05 indicated that the
difference was statistically significant.
Results
Quality control results of tongluo decoction
As shown in Figures 2(a)-2(f), the separation of the components
to be tested is good and has no interference with other components.
High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) shows the peak
appearance time of the calycosin glycoside standard and Tongluo
Decoction for test sample was 15.0±0.5 min, while the paeoniflorin
standard and Tongluo Decoction for test sample was 9.0±0.5 min,
and the ginsenoside Rb1 standard and Tongluo Decoction was
20.0±0.5 min, and the effective components of three herbs are
compared with their respective standard products, some impurity
peaks appeared. However, the separation efficiency of the effective
components of the three herbs were not affected. The above results
indicated that the effective components of Tongluo Decoction
contained of calycosin glycoside, paeoniflorin and ginsenoside
Rb1. The results showed that the effective components of Tongluo
Decoction included calycosin-7-glucoside, paeoniflorin and
ginsenoside Rb1, and the quality of the decoction was stable and
could be used for the follow-up drug intervention test.
Figure 2:
a) High performance liquid chromatography of Tongluo Decoction, calycosin-7-glucoside standard.
b) High performance liquid chromatography of Tongluo Decoction. A calycosin-7-glucoside standard, Tongluo Decoction,
calycosin-7-glucoside.
c) High performance liquid chromatography of Tongluo Decoction,paeoniflorin standard.
d) High performance liquid chromatography of Tongluo Decoction, Tongluo Decoction, 1 is paeoniflorin.
e) High performance liquid chromatography of Tongluo Decoction, ginsenoside Rb1 standard.
f) High performance liquid chromatography of Tongluo Decoction, Tongluo Decoction, 1 is ginsenoside Rb1.
HE staining results of rat myocardium
As shown in Figures 3(a)-3(f), the microembolus were not
found in the microvessels of the coronary artery in the blank group.
A large number of microembolus were found in the coronary
microvessels in the model group, and around the microembolus
there were inflammatory cell aggregation. Some of microembolus
were found on the low dose group of Tongluo Decoction, the high
dose group of Tongluo Decoction, and the Tongxinluo group in
the coronary microvessel. The positive microembolization vessels
count ratio (PMVR) in the model group was significantly higher
than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model
group, the low dose group of Tongluo Decoction, the high dose group
of Tongluo Decoction and the Tongxinluo group were significantly
lower than those in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the
Tongxinluo group, the PMVR in the Tongluo Decoction low dose
group was increased while the Tongluo Decoction high dose group
was decreased(P > 0.05). The PMVR of high dose group of Tongluo
Decoction was lower than that in the low dose group of Tongluo
Decoction (P < 0.05). (Figures 4(a)-4(f)).
Figure 3: Comparison of HE staining of myocardial positive microembolic blood vessels of rats in each group(400×). A blank
group, B model group, C TLD(LD) group, D TLD(HD) group, E TXL group. F Comparison of HE staining of myocardial
positive microembolic blood vessels of rats in each group. (▲)P<0.05, versus model group; (★)P<0.05, TLD(LD) group versus
TLD(HD) group. PMVR:Positive microembolization vessel count ratio.
Figure 4: Comparison of HBFP staining of ischemic myocardium of rats in each group(100×). A blank group, B model group,
C TLD(LD) group, D TLD(HD) group, E TXL group, F Comparison of HBFP staining of ischemic myocardium of rats in each
group. (▲)P<0.05, versus model group. IMAR:Ischemic myocardial area ratio.
HBFP staining results of ischemic myocardium
In Figures 5(a)-5(f), almost no red myocardium tissues was
found in the blank group. A large number of red myocardium tissues
were found in the model group. Tongluo Decoction low dose group,
Tongluo Decoction high dose group and Tongxinluo group found
some red myocardium tissues. Compared with the blank group,
the ratio of ischemic myocardial area ratio in the model group was
significantly higher (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the
ratio of ischemic myocardial area ratio in Tongluo Decoction low
dose group, Tongluo Decoction high dose group and Tongxinluo
group decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared with Tongxinluo
group, the ratio of ischemic myocardial area ratio(IMAR) in Tongluo
Decoction low dose group, Tongluo Decoction high dose group was
decreased, but the difference was not statistically significant (P >
0.05) .
Figure 5: Comparison of TUNEL staining(400×)and apoptosis rate of myocardial cells in each group of rats. A blank group,
B model group, C TLD(LD) group, D TLD(HD) group, E TXL group. F Apoptosis rates of cardiomyocytes in TUNEL staining
groups were compared, (▲)P<0.05, versus model group; (#)P<0.05, TLD(LD) group versus TXL group; (★)P>0.05, TLD(HD)
group versus TXL group. CAR: cardiomyocyte apoptosis ratio.
Detection of cardiomyocyte apoptosis by TUNEL
As shown in Figure 6, TUNEL staining showed that the normal
nuclei were pale blue, the apoptotic nuclei were tan, nuclear
chromatin was concentrated, and the nuclei were broken into
unequal nucleus fragments, accompanied by the formation of
apoptotic bodies. There were almost no tan nuclei in the control
group, and a number of tan nuclei in the model group. Tongluo
Decoction low dose group, Tongluo Decoction high dose group
and Tongxinluo group have some tan nuclei. The apoptosis rate of
myocardial cells in the model group was significantly higher than
that in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model
group, the cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate in Tongluo Decoction low
dose group, Tongluo Decoction high dose group and Tongxinluo
group decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared with Tongxinluo
group, the decrease of cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate in Tongluo
Decoction low dose group was small (P < 0.05) , but the decrease
of cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate in Tongluo Decoction high dose
group was much more (P > 0.05).
Figure 6: Western Blot detection of bcl-2、bax、caspase-3 protein expression in cardiac myocytes.
Western Blot detect the expression of Bcl-2, Bax and
caspase-3
Protein in Cardiac Myocytes
As shown in Figures 3(a)-3(f)) and (Table 2), compared with
the control group, the expression of Bcl-2 protein and bcl-2/bax
of the model group were decreased, the expression of Bax and
Caspase-3 in the model group were significantly increased (P <
0.05). Compared with the model group, the expression of Bcl-2
protein, bcl-2/bax were increased and the expression of Bax and
Caspase-3 were decreased in the Tongluo Decoction low dose
group, Tongluo Decoction high dose group and Tongxinluo group
(P < 0.05). Compared with Tongxinluo group, the expression of
Bcl-2 protein, bcl-2/bax increased (P < 0.05), the expression of
Bax and caspase-3 protein decreased in the Tongluo Decoction low
dose group and the Tongluo Decoction high dose group (P > 0.05).
These results indicate that the coronary microembolization(CME)
can induce cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and Tongluo Decoction and
Tongxinluo can inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
Table 2: The results of bcl-2/bax ratio in each group of rats (x ±
s ).
Note: Comparison with control group.
aP﹤0.05; Comparing with model group.
bP﹤0.05; Comparing with Tongxinluo group, cP﹤0.05.
Discussion
CME is an common complication in the interventional therapy
of coronary heart disease. It is one of the important reasons for
the occurrence of “no reflow” and “slow flow” of coronary artery.
It is an important factor of poor prognosis and even death in some
patients after PCI. The secondary myocardial apoptosis and necrotic
myocardium irreversible injury are independent predictors of
no reflow and poor prognosis. Research shows [4] that a stable,
reliable and economical model of coronary arteria microembolism
can be established by injecting autologous thrombus to the aortic
root of rat through the right common carotid artery. In this study,
we followed this method and established the rat CME model
successfully. After the drug intervention 12 days, we found that
both Tongluo Decoction and Tongxinluo could contribute to the
narrowing of the microembolus, promote the blood circulation
of the coronary microembolic vessels and improve the condition
of myocardial ischemia. Tongluo Decoction is composed of many
kinds of Chinese medicinal materials according to the rule of
monarch(Jun), minister(Chen), assistant(Zuo) and guide(Shi). It
has the effects of benefiting qi for activating blood circulation and
disperse blood stasis and dredge collateral circulation. Among
this Chinese medicine compound, Astragali Radix(Huangqi) as the
monarch, compatible with Radix ginseng Rubra (Hongshen) can
tonify Qi of spleen and Lung significantly. It made QI and blood
own a recourse to metaplasia. Compatibility of Radix Paeonia
Rubra (Chishao) have an effect on blood stasis runs and relieve
pain, cooling blood and subsidence of a swelling. Assistance of
Radix Bupleuri(Chaihu), Rhizoma Cimicifugae(Shengma), Radix
Platycodonis(Jiegeng) for lifting Yangqi and carrying medicine
upgoing. Qi running leads to blood circulation. Then add Fructus
Corni(Shanyurou) to nourish the Yin of liver and kidney. Radix
Glycyrrhizae(Gancao) as guide plays an harmonization of all drugs
role in the compound. All drug compatibility, reflect a efficacy of
tonifying qi and yin and promoting blood circulation to remove
meridian obstruction. Zhang Zhenguo and other studies [6] found
that Tongluo Decoction could inhibit the pathological process
of coronary microembolism, reduce myocardial damage, inhibit
the expression of inflammatory factors and promote the role of
microembolic vascular recanalization.
Apoptosis is an active and orderly death process, which
is produced by the body in the physiological and pathological
conditions to maintain the homeostasis of its own internal
environment [7]. Studies have shown that apoptosis is one of
the possible mechanisms of ventricular dysfunction induced
by coronary microembolization [8]. Anti apoptotic therapy can
significantly inhibit the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes after CME in
rats [9-11]. Studys showed that Tongxinluo capsule could inhibit
cardiomyocyte apoptosis [12, 13]. In our study, Tongxinluo was
used as a positive control group to further study the mechanism of
Tongluo Decoction from the perspective of apoptosis. Mitochondria
mediated apoptosis pathway is one of the most important
apoptotic pathways. Numerous studies have shown [14-16] that
inhibition of mitochondrial mediated apoptosis plays an important
role in improving CME induced myocardial damage and cardiac
dysfunction. The regulation of mitochondrial apoptosis is mainly
mediated by the regulation of Bcl-2 family proteins [17, 18].
After the destruction of mitochondria, the release of cytochrome
C increased. Under the regulation of Bcl-2 family protein, the
release of cytochrome C was induced by anti apoptotic members
and inducing apoptotic members, eventually causing the activation
of Caspase-3, resulting in the apoptosis [19]. Cysteinyl aspartate
specific protease (caspase) is the main effector factor of apoptosis.
Wang JiangYou and other studies [20] showed that increased
the expression of Caspase-3 in rat cardiomyocytes after CME, and
pretreatment with atorvastatin could downregulate the expression
of Caspase-3. Liu Tao and other studies [21] found that after
CME bcl-2 expression decreased, Bax and Caspase-3 expression
increased, silence LOX-1 can reverse Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 protein
expression. Bcl-2 can inhibit apoptosis, while Bax can promote
apoptosis [22]. The ratio of Bcl-2/Bax is an important parameter
of mitochondrial signaling pathway, and the ratio between them is
one of the important causes of apoptosis [23, 24] Our study showed
that the apoptosis rate of myocardial cells in the CME model group
was significantly increased. The expression of Bcl-2 protein, bcl-2/bax
were decreased and the expression of Bax and Caspase-3 were
significantly increased in the model group. It was indicated that CME
induced the cardiomyocytes apoptosis. The apoptosis rate of cardiac
myocytes in Tongluo Decoction low dose group, Tongluo Decoction
high dose group and Tongxinluo group was significantly lower than
that of model group (P < 0.05), and the expression of Bcl-2 protein
and bcl-2/bax increased, and the expression of Bax and caspase-3
protein decreased (P < 0.05). It indicates that Tongluo Decoction
and Tongxinluo capsule can inhibit the cardiomyocytes apoptosis
of rat after CME. Compared with Tongxinluo group, the degree of
decrease on cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate in Tongluo Decoction
low dose group was lower (P < 0.05) while Tongluo Decoction
high dose group was higher (P > 0.05). The results of Western Blot
showed that, compared with Tongxinluo group, the expression of
Bcl-2 protein, bcl-2/bax increased (P < 0.05), the expression of
Bax and caspase-3 protein decreased in the Tongluo Decoction low
dose group and the Tongluo Decoction high dose group (P > 0.05).
It shows that Tongluo Decoction is almost equivalent to Tongxinluo
capsule in the treatment of CME, which can inhibit the apoptosis
of myocardial cells of rats after CME, and its mechanism may be
related to the blocking of mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.
Conclusion
Tongluo Decoction may inhibit the cardiomyocytes apoptosis of
CME rats by blocking mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and protect
their myocardium.
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