Effects of Xuemaitong granules on monocytes TLR 4,IL-6 and TNF-αin apo E-deficient mice with atherosclerosis

Objective To investigate the effects of Xuemaitong granules on expression changes of monocytes toll-like receptor 4( TLR-4),IL-6 and TNF-α in apoE-deficient mice with atherosclerosis( AS). Methods Male apo E-deficient mice were fed a high-fat diet for 13 weeks and randomly divided into two groups,11 mice in each group: Xuemaitong granules group and the control group. Mice in the Xuemaitong granules group were given intragastric administration of Xuemaitong granules [3. 808 mg /( g·d) ],and mice in the control group were given the same dosage of saline. Mice were sacrificed after 6 weeks administration to collect blood from orbital venous plexus. The mRNA expression of monocytes TLR4was measured by RT-PCR. The mean fluorescence intensity( MFI) of TLR4 was measured by flow cytometry. The plasma concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α were measured by ELISA. Results The mRNA expression of monocytes TLR4,the MFI of TLR4,the plasma concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α in Xuemaitong granules group were 0. 22 ± 0. 07,25. 45 ± 8. 33,( 10. 86 ±4. 41) and( 36. 94 ±9. 46) pg/mL,respectively. Those were 0. 31 ± 0. 09,34. 04 ± 7. 31,( 18. 24 ± 8. 21)and( 52. 82 ± 13. 78) pg / mL in the control group( all P 0. 05). Both IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations showed positive correlations with expression of TLR4( r = 4. 86 and 0. 509,all P 0. 05). Conclusion Xuemaitong granules can reduce the expression of monocytes TLR4 and the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α in apoE-deficient mice with AS,which may be one of the mechanisms of Xuemaitong granules to inhibit vascular inflammation and ameliorate atherosclerosis.