Date of Award
2011
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program
Anatomy and Cell Biology
Supervisor
Dr. Kem Rogers
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and can lead to complications such as stroke and myocardial infarction. Ginseng, a natural health supplement, has been shown to have anti-atherogenic properties, including attenuating inflammation, oxidation and hyperlipidemia. I examined the effects of North American ginseng on inflammation-associated VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression in cultured porcine endothelial cells and monocyte adhesion to the activated endothelium in hypercholesterolemic and hyperhomocysteinemic rats. No definitive downregulation of inflammatory VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression was observed in vitro and only an aqueous ginseng extract was effective in reducing homocysteine-induced monocyte adhesion to the aortic endothelium. I also examined the effects of North American ginseng on lesion progression in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis, but found no significant effects on serum total cholesterol, lesion area orlesioncomposition. Furtherstudiesarerequiredtodetermineiftrendsseenhere would yield a more robust result in a larger study.
Recommended Citation
Carruthers, Colin Patrick, "THE INFLUENCE OF NORTH AMERICAN GINSENG ON THE INITIATION AND PROGRESSION OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS" (2011). Digitized Theses. 3557.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/3557
