Effect of Bushenuoxue decoction on myocardial microvascular vessels and CYP2J3 in ovariectomized rats

AIM To observe the effects of bushenhuoxue decoction on myocardial blood flow dynamics, number of myocardial microvascular vessels, serum estradiol levels and myocardial CYP2J3 expression in ovariectomized rats. METHODS Forty-eight adult female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into eight groups: normal group (NORM), sham group (SHAM), ovariectomized group (OVX), high-dose Bushenhuoxue decoction group (AED-H), low-dose Bushenhuoxue decoction group (AED-L), 17β-estradiol intervention group (OVX/ERT group), and ICI182780 intervention groups (AED-H/FET and AED-L/FET). Hemorheology was detected before rats were killed. Cardiac hemodynamic were detected by cardiac ultrasound instrument. The number of myocardial microvascular vessels was determined by immunohistochemical method. Serum estradiol levels were measured by radioimmunoassay, and cardiac CYP2J3 expressions were determined by Q-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS Blood flow dynamic indicators declined in OVX group compared to those in NORM group (P<0.05). Left ventricular ejection fraction improved significantly in both estrogen group and AED-H group. Serum E2 level decreased significantly in OVX group (P<0.05) but both high- and low-dose Bushenhuoxue decoction significantly promoted the serum E2 level in OVX group (P<0.05). In OVX group, whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity and hematocrit increased compared to sham group, whereas in OVX/ERT group and AED-H group, these indexes decreased obviously. Red cell deformation time index, erythrocyte rigidity index and erythrocyte electrophoresis were significantly higher in the OVX group (P<0.01). However, these indexes significantly decreased in OVX/ERT group and AED-H group compared to OVX group (P<0.05). Myocardial microvascular counts in OVX group decreased significantly, whereas the myocardial microvascular count in estrogen group and AED-H group improved significantly (P<0.05). Similarly, myocardial CYP2J3 mRNA and protein expression in OVX group decreased significantly, whereas only a slight decrease was observed in estrogen group and AED-H group. CONCLUSION Bushenhuoxue decoction can increase the number of myocardial microvascular vessels and improve cardiac hemodynamics in ovariectomized rats. This effect may be mediated by increasing the level of circulating estrogen in ovariectomized rats and promoting CYP2J3 protein expression.