项目组前期研究发现，云南重要的特色药用植物灯盏花的活性成分灯盏乙素能改善血管内皮功能障碍，调节高脂模型大鼠血脂水平，减轻主动脉的病变。在此基础上，本项目拟采用ApoE-/-小鼠和高脂喂养加球囊拉伤家兔两种AS模型，相互印证评价灯盏乙素治疗AS作用并分析其剂量-效应关系；体外培养HUVEC、VSMC和巨噬细胞，探索灯盏乙素对OX-LDL所致内皮细胞损伤、VSMC增殖迁移和巨噬细胞泡沫化的影响；流式细胞仪检测HUVEC和VSMC的细胞周期；以LOX-1、ICAM-1、VCAM-1、MCP-1、PKC、TNF-α等关键分子为靶标深入探索灯盏乙素对主动脉粥样斑块组织和培养的细胞中LOX-1 / NF-κB / p38 MAPK信号通路的调控，以期从整体动物、斑块组织、细胞和分子水平深入系统研究灯盏乙素的抗AS作用。

Our previous research showed that scutellarin, an active ingredient from Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand.-Mazz, obviously protected against the injury of vascular endothelial cells, adjusted the levels of serum lipids and regressed the aggravation of aorta in hyperlipidemic rats. Based on our previous research, the atherosclerotic models of apolipoprotein E gene knock-out in mice and high fatty diet combined with balloon injury in rabbits will be duplicated to evaluate the effects of scutellarin on the experimental atherosclerosis and its dose-effect relationships; in vitro, three types of cells are prepared to investigate the protective effects of scutellarin against OX-LDL caused the injury of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells and the formation of macrophage-derived foam cells, respectively; the effects of scutellarin on cell cycle of endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells will be detected by flow cytometry; the regulation of scutellarin on LOX-1 / NF-κB / p38 MAPK signal pathways will be aslo determined in aorta atherosclerotic plaques and the above cultured cells through the detection of key targets(LOX-1, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MCP-1, PKC and TNF-α). The anti-atherosclerotic effects of scutellarin will be explored systematically at these different levels such as model animals, atherosclerotic plaques, cells and molecules, in order to provide more scientific bases and experimental evidences for curing atherosclerosis with scutellarin.