Keishi-bukuryo-gan prevents the progression of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbit

In this study, we examined whether in vivo keishi-bukuryo-gan (a Kampo form ulation) could prevent the progression of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fe d rabbits, an animal model for hypercholesterolaemia. Sixteen male Japanese white rabbits (2 kg body weight) were divided into two groups. Group A (n = 8) was fed standard rabbit chow containing 1% cholesterol for 8 weeks, Gr oup B (n = 8) was fed standard rabbit chow containing 1% cholesterol and 1% keishi-bukuryo-gan for 8 weeks, At the end of the experiment, average plas ma concentrations of total-cholesterol and IDL-cholesterol were 2055.9 +/- 201.8 mg/dl, and 408.1 +/- 62.6 mg/dL in group A and 1950.5 +/- 126.3 mg/dL and 407.6 +/- 56.6 mg/dL in group B, respectively. The percentage of the s urface area of the total thoracic aorta with visible plaque was significant ly reduced by keishi-bukuryo-gan administration; group A was 33.2% +/- 5.3% and group B was 14.3% +/- 2.9%, beta -very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) isolated from cholesterol fed rabbits tre ated with keishi-bukuryo-gan (group B) were shown to be highly resistant to oxidative modification by cupric ion. Sera isolated from rabbits administe red keishi-bukuryo-gan had reduced lipid peroxide Formation compared with t hose from rabbits without keishi-bukuryo-gan. Thus, keishi-bukuryo-gan prev ents the progression of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits in vivo by limiting oxidative LDL modification. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Son s, Ltd.