Effect of purified Xuefu Capsule on endothelin, nitric oxide synthetase gene expression of vascular wall in atherosclerotic rabbits

Objective: To observe the effect of purified Xuefu Capsule (PXC) on endothelin (ET) and nitric oxide synthetase (NOS) gene expression and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) in atherosclerotic rabbits.Methods: Molecular biological techniques of dot blot and in situ hybridization were adopted.Results: The expression of ET mRNA in atherosclerosis (AS), plaques of the model group was higher, with the positive signals distributed mainly in arterial intimal AS plaques; while at the same time the expression in the PXC treated group was lower, with only few scattering signals found in arterial intimal AS plaques. NOS mRNA expression was less in the vascular wall of the AS model group, PXC could enhance NOS mRNA expression, positive signals could be found from intima to media.Conclusion: The effect of PXC on preventing and treating AS might be related to regulating the expression of ET mRNA and NOS mRNA in the vascular wall.