Effect of Berberine on Angiogenesis and HIF-1α / VEGF Signal Transduction Pathway in Rats with Cerebral Ischemia - Reperfusion Injury.

Abstract

To investigate the effect of berberine on angiogenesis and signal transduction pathway of hypoxia-inducible growth factor-1&alpha; (HIF-1&alpha;) / vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. An experimental study. Luoyang Central Hospital Affiliated with Zhengzhou University, China, from 2016 to 2017. Forty-five rats were randomly divided into control group, model group and berberine group, 15 rats in each group. The model of rat with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was duplicated by suture method. Neurological score was evaluated before, after operation, and 7 days after administration. Microvessel density (MVD) of cerebral ischemia- reperfusion cortex was detected by immunohistochemistry. HIF-1&alpha; mRNA and VEGF mRNA of cerebral ischemia- reperfusion cortex were detected by RT-PCR. HIF-1&alpha;, and VEGF protein expression of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion cortex was detected by Western Blotting. After operation and 7 days of administration, the neurological scores of the control group, model group, and berberine group were different (all p<0.001). After 7 days of administration, neurological score of berberine group was lower than that of model group (p <0.001), MVD, HIF-1&alpha; mRNA and VEGF mRNA expression. HIF-1&alpha; and VEGF protein expression levels were lower in model group than berberine group (all p <0.001). Berberine can promote angiogenesis in the rat with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Its mechanism may be activation of HIF-1&alpha; / VEGF signal transduction pathway.