Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction Inhibits Balloon-Injury-Induced Carotid Artery Intimal Hyperplasia in the Rat through the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4 Pathway and Autophagy Mediation

Protective effect and mechanism of ginsenoside Rg2 on atherosclerosis

Background

Ginsenoside Rg2 (Rg2) has a variety of pharmacological activities and provides benefits during inflammation, cancer, and other diseases. However, there are no reports about the relationship between Rg2 and atherosclerosis.

Methods

We used 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) to detect the cell viability of Rg2 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The expression of inflammatory factors in HUVECs and the expression of phenotypic transformation-related marker in VSMCs were detected at mRNA levels. Western blot method was used to detect the expression of inflammation pathways and the expression of phenotypic transformation at the protein levels. The rat carotid balloon injury model was performed to explore the effect of Rg2 on inflammation and phenotypic transformation in vivo.

Results

Rg2 decreased the expression of inflammatory factors induced by lipopolysaccharide in HUVECs-without affecting cell viability. These events depend on the blocking regulation of NF-κB and p-ERK signaling pathway. In VSMCs, Rg2 can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and phenotypic transformation of VSMCs induced by platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)-which may contribute to its anti-atherosclerotic role. In rats with carotid balloon injury, Rg2 can reduce intimal proliferation after injury, regulate the inflammatory pathway to reduce inflammatory response, and also suppress the phenotypic transformation of VSMCs.

Conclusion

These results suggest that Rg2 can exert its anti-atherosclerotic effect at the cellular level and animal level, which provides a more sufficient basis for ginseng as a functional dietary regulator.

The potential function of SP1 and CPPED1 in restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention

OBJECTIVES

Impacts of molecular pathways have been discussed recently on restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Hence, this study aimed to explore the impact of calcineurin-like phosphoesterase domain containing 1 (CPPED1) and specificity protein 1 (SP1) on restenosis after PCI.

METHODS

A carotid balloon injury rat model was established, followed by western blot analysis of SP1 and CPPED1 expression in carotid artery (CA) tissues. After SP1 and CPPED1 were overexpressed, the neointimal hyperplasia and luminal stenosis were assessed. In addition, EPC underwent hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) treatment to construct an endothelial injury cell model. Then, cell proliferation, apoptosis, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and Ca²⁺ concentration were detected with cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry, Chloromethyl-2'7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (CM-H2DCFDA) penetrant, and Fluo-4 AM staining, respectively. The binding relationship between SP1 and CPPED1 was verified by dual-luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays.

RESULTS

SP1 and CPPED1 were lowly expressed in the model rats with carotid balloon injury. Mechanistically, SP1 bound to the promoter region of CPPED1 to activate CPPED1 expression. Overexpressing SP1 or CPPED1 lowered neointimal formation and restenosis rate, thus promoting the recovery of carotid balloon injury in rats. Meanwhile, SP1 and CPPED1 upregulation reduced ROS levels, Ca²⁺ concentration, and apoptosis of EPCs, accompanied by accelerated EPC viability.

CONCLUSIONS

SP1 or CPPED1 overexpression reduced neointimal formation and restenosis rate in carotid balloon injury.