Abstract
Fuyuan Xingnao decoction (FYXN), a traditional Chinese formula comprised of seven herbs, has been utilized to treat diabetes mellitus complicated with cerebral infarction (DMCI) for years. Yet, its protective and regulatory mechanism is poorly understood. The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of FYXN on DMCI in vitro and in vivo, as well as its mechanism in angiogenesis. For in vivo experiments, FYXN was administered to DMCI rats with streptozotocin (STZ) injection-induced diabetes. Then middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was conducted and the cerebral cortex sections of the rats were obtained. The ultrastructure of cerebral microvessels and new vessel density of ischemic penumbra were evaluated by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) assay and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Protein and mRNA expression levels of Rab1/AT1R in cortex were assayed by Western blotting and real-time fluorescence quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). In vitro, FYXN serum was produced in rats on the fourth day 2 h after the last FYXN administration. Green fluorescence was observed after transfection with lentivirus packaged Rab1-WT or siRNA for 24 h. The activity of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) treated with sera from these rats was tested by MTT assay and Transwell assays, respectively. The expression of AT1R on the cell membrane and endoplasmic reticulum of BMECs was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining. Protein expression levels of signaling molecules in the Rab1/AT1R pathways were also detected. Results showed that in vivo, FYXN treatment significantly intensified CD31 staining in the cortical areas and enhanced the mRNA and protein levels of AT1R, Ang II, Rab1a, Rab1b and VEGF expression in ischemic cerebral cortex tissues. In vitro, the expression levels of AT1R, Ang II, Rab1a, Rab1b and VEGF in the cerebral infarction model group were significantly higher than those in the control group, with further increases after administration of FYXN drug serum. FYXN promoted the proliferation and migration of BMECs by activating the Rab1/AT1R signaling pathway. In conclusion, FYXN exerts a protective effect against DMCI by promoting angiogenesis via the Rab1/AT1R pathway, which provides strong evidence for the therapeutic effect of FYXN on DMCI.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus (DM), a major risk factor for cerebral infarction (CI), can directly induce and/or aggravate cerebrovascular damage (Gjerde and Naess, 2014)
Fuyuan Xingnao Decoction Treatment Improved Neurological Deficit in Diabetes Mellitus Complicated with Cerebral Infarction Rats The neurological function of all rats was assessed before treatment and at day 7 after treatment
Rats in DM sham group and NC group showed no behavioral impairments, while significant difference was found when compared with diabetes mellitus complicated with cerebral infarction (DMCI) group, which confirmed the successful establishment of animal model
Summary
Diabetes mellitus (DM), a major risk factor for cerebral infarction (CI), can directly induce and/or aggravate cerebrovascular damage (Gjerde and Naess, 2014). In DM patients, the recurrence rate of acute cerebral infarction (ACI) is higher and its prognosis is worse (Chen, R. et al, 2016). Investigating the pathogenesis is a critical step before devising an effective treatment strategy for DMCI. Vascular damage is a major complication of DM. Apart from damaging blood vessels (Yao et al, 2019), diabetic hyperglycemia induces substantial local ischemia. The insulin resistance enhances platelet adhesion, activation, and aggregation (Huang et al, 2017). The hemodynamic disorder impairs vascular wound healing, and reduces collateral circulation, leading to insufficient blood flow and CI or ischemic stroke
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