Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of Quyu Xiaoban Capsule (QYXBC) on endothelial dependent vascular relaxation (EDVR) function in patients with atherosclerosis (AS) with ultrasonic technique.
Methods: Tested were the endothelial function and blood lipids of 42 patients with AS in the treated group and 30 healthy volunteers in the control group. And re-examination of these parameters was carried out on the AS patients after they had been treated with QYXBC for 10 months.
Results: Before treatment, the reactive hyperemia induced changes in artery diameter in the treated group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01), while insignificant difference was found between the two groups in response to nitroglycerin. In the treated group after treatment, with D%-R improved significantly (P < 0.01), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) decreased by 16.3%, 5.6%, 10.2% respectively and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased by 7.5%. EDVR was correlated negatively with the serum TC, LDL-C concentrations and the baseline brachial diameter (D(0)) (r = -0.41, -0.66, -0.59, respectively, all P < 0.01), but correlated positively with HDL-C (r = 0.62, P < 0.05). The ameliorative extent of EDVR was correlated positively to the decreased magnitude of TC and LDL-C concentrations (r = 0.67, 0.59, both P < 0.01).
Conclusion: QYXBC can lower the level of blood lipids and improve significantly EDVR function.