Effect of tongxinluo on cardiac function in diabetic rats with atherosclerosis

AIM: To assess the cardioprotection and protective effect of vascular endothelium of tongxinluo on diabetic rats with atherosclerosis. METHODS: A total of 25 male Wistar rats were included. Five rats were kept as the normal control group; 20 were injected with streptozotocin( STZ) by caudal vein and fed a hyperlipid diet to obtain a diabetic rat model with atherosclerosis. Then,rat models were divided randomly into two groups: model group and tongxinluo group. Saline and tongxinluo aqueous solution were given separately by gavage for 6 weeks according to group type. In the end,echocardiogram test was manipulated on rats and blood was collected for testing of v WF and ET-1. Myocardial tissues were used for pathogenic test. RESULTS: Ultrasound showed that compared to normal control group,model group and tongxinluo group IVST,LVPWT,LVEDD,LVESD and LVMI were higher( P < 0. 05); whereas compared to model group,all the above indexes in the tongxinluo group were lower( P < 0. 05). For v WF and ET-1 test,model group is higher than normal group( P < 0. 05),whereas the tongxinluo group is lower than the model group( P < 0. 05) and slightly higher than in the normal group( P > 0. 05).Pathological examination showed myocardial congestion,swelling and necrosis in the model group and tongxinluo group with the lesions in the tongxinluo group being less severe. CONCLUSION: Endothelial injury and ventricular remodeling occurs in diabetic rats with atherosclerosis. Tongxinluo can inhibit ventricular remodeling and improve vascular endothelial function.