phenanthrenes and Coronary-Artery-Disease

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is independently associated with cardiovascular events in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients and reducing the hs-CRP level may further benefit this population. We conduct this parallel design, randomized-controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of adjunct sodium tanshinone IIA sulfate (STS) therapy on circulating inflammation markers in CAD patients. Unstable angina or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients with increased hs-CRP level were randomly assigned to atorvastatin-based standard medical therapy or standard therapy plus STS injection (80 mg, once daily for 14 consecutive days). The primary outcome was hs-CRP level. After the 14-day treatment, the experimental group (n = 35) exhibited significantly lower levels of hs-CRP than the control group (n = 35) (1.72 vs 3.20 mg/L, p = 0.0191). Lower levels of interleukin-6, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and soluble CD40 ligand were also observed in the experimental group. Angina symptoms were also better controlled in the experimental group. At 30 days after treatment completion, MCP-1 levels remained lower in the experimental group than in the control group (313.88 vs 337.91 pg/mL, p = 0.0078). No serious adverse events occurred. Our study demonstrates that on the basis of standard medical therapy, STS further reduce elevated hs-CRP and other circulating inflammation markers in CAD patients. (Chictr.org number: ChiCTR-TRC-12002361).

Topics: Aged; Biomarkers; C-Reactive Protein; Cardiovascular Agents; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Coronary Artery Disease; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Male; Molecular Structure; Phenanthrenes; Treatment Outcome

Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) is one of the major lipophilic components of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (SM) and has an anti-atherosclerotic effect. To investigate the potential mechanism of this effect, we established an atherosclerotic animal model by feeding rabbits a high-fat diet, and Tan IIA was given at different doses. Intimal area of the aorta was measured by image analysis, serum levels of vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and interleukin (IL-1beta) were measured by ELISA, while matrix metalloproteinase-2 and-9 (MMP-2, MMP-9) expression and their activities in atherosclerotic lesions were assessed by Western blotting and zymography respectively. Compared with the control group, the intimal area, serum levels of VCAM-1 and IL-1beta, the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 as well as their activities were increased significantly in the high-fat fed rabbit group. After Tan IIA administration, all of these parameters were decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Our results show that Tan IIA can inhibit atherosclerotic lesion formation in aorta and down-regulate protein expression and activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 as well as serum VCAM-1 and IL-1beta in rabbits fed a high-fat diet.

Topics: Abietanes; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Aorta; Coronary Artery Disease; Dietary Fats; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Down-Regulation; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Female; Interleukin-1beta; Male; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; Molecular Structure; Phenanthrenes; Rabbits; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1

Topics: Animals; Coronary Artery Disease; Coronary Vessels; Cyclosporine; Diterpenes; Epoxy Compounds; Gene Expression Regulation; Heart Transplantation; Immunosuppressive Agents; Male; Phenanthrenes; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; Postoperative Complications; Rats; Rats, Inbred Lew; Rats, Inbred Strains; Transplantation, Homologous