Objective To observe the inhibition effect of Wenmaitong on the
multiplication of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) induced
by angiotension II (Ang II) and its influence on growth factor, and discuss its mechanism for preventing and treating early arteriosclerosis obliteration (ASO) of limbs. Methods To segregate media from rabbit aorta thoracalis for VSMC culture in vitro, and select 3~(rd) to 5~(th) generation cells to copy VSMC
multiplication model induced by Ang II. The model was interfered by the serum with Wenmaitong or its different ingredients. The colorimetry of MTT was used to determine the VSMC multiplication activities and immunohistochemistry was used to observe the expressions of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) in different groups. Results The multiplication activity of VSMC was obviously increased after Ang II action with a significant difference (P<0.01) compared with the blank group. After the Wenmaitong serum using, however, the multiplication activities in different groups were decreased. There was a significant difference (P<0.01) compared with the Ang II group. The decrease of VSMC multiplication activity in the high-dose group was the most obvious. VSMC PDGF-BB colorated after determined by immunohistochemistry. The intensity of positive reaction in the blank group was weak positive
expression (+/-), and in the Ang II group, strong positive expression (+++) with a significant difference compared with the blank group. The expression of PDGF-BB in the Wenmaitong group was obviously decreased (+), approaching the blank group, and that in the ingredient group 1 and the ingredient group 2 was middle expression (++) and their intensities of positive reaction were higher than the Wenmaitong group and lower than the Ang II group. Conclusion Wenmaitong, with dose-dependability, can inhibit the VSMC multiplication activity induced by Ang II and the expression of PDGF-BB. The preventing and curatire effect of Wenmaitong on ASO may be related to its inhibition effect on VSMC abnormal multiplication and protein expression of PDGF-BB.