Effect of butylphthalide on VEGF and Ang-1 levels of cerebra and serum in rats with middle cerebral artery ischemia-reperfusion

Abstract

Objective To explore the effect of butylphthalide on the vascular endothelia growth factor(VEGF) and amgiopoietin-1(Ang-1) levels in cerebra and serum of rats with middle cerebral artery ischemia-reperfusion. Methods 39 male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, ischemia-reperfusion group and butylphthalide- pretreated group with 13 rats in each group. The cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rat model was established in ischemia-reperfusion group and butylphthalide-pretreated group. 24 hours after reperfusion, the brain and serum were collected to detect VEGF and Ang-1 levels using ELISA and immunohistochemistry. The cerebral capillary endothelial morphology was observed with the electron microscope. Results The cell edema and impaired ultrastructure of cerebral capillary endothelial in butylphthalide-pretreated group were reduced compared with ischemia-reperfusion group. The VEGF and Ang-1 levels of cerebra(VEGF: (0.119±0.017) vs (0.100±0.016), Ang-1: (0.120±0.023) vs (0.097±0.018)) and serum (VEGF: (45.51±22.4) pg/ml vs (20.45±6.14) pg/ml, Ang-1: (126.32±61.89) ng/ml vs (70.02±20.80) ng/ml) were higher in ischemia-reperfusion group compared with sham operation group (P<0.05), while butylphthalide-pretreated rats displayed the higher VEGF (Cerebra: (0.137±0.022) vs (0.119±0.017), Serum: (80.46±13.65) pg/ml vs (45.51±22.4)pg/ml) and Ang-1 (Cerebra: (0.142±0.020) vs (0.120±0.023), Serum: (181.49±49.45) ng/ml vs (126.32±61.89) ng/ml) expression compared with ischemia-reperfusion rats (P<0.05). Conclusion Butylphthalide can protect the brain capillary endothelial cells in rats with middle cerebral artery ischemia-reperfusion, and upregulate production of VEGF and Ang-1. Key words: Butylphthalide; Cerebral ischemia reperfusion; Endothelium; VEGF; Ang-1