The Effect of YiQiFuMai on Ischemic Heart Failure by Improve Myocardial Microcirculation and Increase eNOS and VEGF Expression

Objective: To assess the effects of traditional Chinese medicine YiQiFuMai on cardiac function during the progression of ischemic heart failure. Methods: Rabbits were divided into sham, heart failure, and YiQiFuMai groups. The ischemic heart failure model was established in New Zealand white rabbits, which were intraperitoneally injected with YiQiFuMai injection and 0.9% sodium chloride after the operation. After six weeks, cardiac function was examined by ultrasound; serum BNP levels were measured by ELISA; p-AKT, eNOS, ICAM-1 and VEGF levels were evaluated by real-time PCR and Western-Blot; pathological changes of the myocardial tissue were observed by H&E staining; CD31 expression in tissue samples was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The ultrastructure and microcirculation of myocardial tissue specimens from the three groups were assessed by transmission electron microscopy. Results: YiQiFuMai decreased serum BNP levels, and increased LVEF and reduced LVEDD at 6 weeks postoperatively. In addition, YiQiFuMai can improve myocardial damage and microcirculation structure, as assessed by histology and transmission electron microscope. At the molecular level, treatment with YiQiFuMai resulted in increased eNOS, VEGF and p-AKT levels but reduced ICAM-1 amounts compared with the heart failure group. Conclusion: Ischemic heart failure damages the microvascular structure and functions of the myocardium. Treatment with YiQiFuMai potentially ameliorates microcirculatory damage and alleviates cardiac failure by improving endothelial function and angiogenesis, and inhibiting inflammatory cell adhesion.