Abstract:Aim To investigate the intervention effect of total paeony glycoside (TPG) on matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and oxidative stress of vascular remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods 30 male 8 weeks-old SHR rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:low-dose TPG group (low-dose group, n=10), high-dose TPG group (high-dose group, n=10) and control group (n=10); In addition, Wistar rats were used as a blank group (n=8). Low-dose group and high-dose group had intragastric administration with 100 and 200 mg/(kg·d) TPG respectively, and control group and blank group had intragastric administration with 2 mL physiological saline. After 8 weeks, serum levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Oxidative stress level of thoracic aorta wall cells was determined by reactive oxygen species (ROS) fluorescence probe; Expressions of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 protein in the aorta was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Results Compared with the blank group, the serum levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 and the expressions of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 protein in the vascular wall were significantly increased in the control group (P<0.05). After TPG treatment, MMP-9 was decreased, and the difference between high-dose group and control group was statistically significant (P<0.05); However, there was no significant difference in TIMP-1 among low-dose group, high-dose group and control group (P>0.05). The ROS level of thoracic aorta in control group was significantly higher than that in blank group, while the ROS level in low-dose group and high-dose group was lower than that of the control group. Conclusion There are the increases of vascular oxidative stress and MMP-9 level in hypertensive vascular remodeling. TPG can inhibit arterial oxidative stress and MMP-9 level and improve vascular remodeling in hypertension. It can be used as an auxiliary remedy for the treatment of hypertension.