BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess the effect of combined use of
Astragaloside IV(AsIV) and
atorvastatin (AV) on the expression of
PPAR-γ and
inflammation-associated
cytokines in
atherosclerosis rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total
cholesterol (TC), and
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (
LDL-C) in plasma were detected through automatic biochemical analyzer and the histopathological analysis was performed via HE staining. The levels of
oxidized low-density lipoprotein (
oxLDL) and
tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and
interleukins (IL)-6 and
IL-18 in serum were detected by ELISA. The expressions of proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (
PPAR-γ), cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), matrix metalloprotein-9 (MMP-9), intercellular
cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1), and p38 and P-p38 levels were detected by Western blot. RT-PCR was used to detect the
mRNA expressions of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB),
PPAR-γ, CD36, MMP-9,
ICAM-1, and
VCAM-1. RESULTS Administration of AsIV and AV significantly decreased the
lipid content and
oxLDL in plasma. The levels of TNF-α,
IL-6, and
IL-18 were significantly decreased in AsIV, AV, and AsIV + AV groups, especially in the AsIV + AV group. Administration decreased the levels of NF-κB, CD36, MMP-9,
ICAM-1,
VCAM-1, and P-p38 expression and increased the expression of peroxisome
PPAR-γ. Compared with the NC group, the atherosclerotic lesions significantly increased in the HD group, while the combined administration significantly inhibited the development of atherosclerotic disease. CONCLUSIONS Combined administration of AV and AsIV showed potent effects against
atherosclerosis through the NF-κB/PPARγ pathway, which may be a new
therapy for treatment of
atherosclerosis in the future.