The influence of plant saponins on the elasticity parameters of the great arteries in patients with multifocal atherosclerosis

Background. Among the goals of pathogenetic therapy in patients with multifocal atherosclerosis, not only control of the intensity of atherogenesis, but also the elastic properties of the arterial system is becoming increasingly important, which opens up additional ways to reduce overall and cardiovascular mortality in this category of patients.

Aim. To evaluate effectiveness of medication Vazosponin (ZAO “Vifitekh”, Russia), which is a source of plant saponins in a dosage 400 mg per day, on the indicators of the elasticity of the great arteries.

Materials and methods. The study included 100 patients with multifocal atherosclerosis: those who had had myocardial infarction or percutaneous coronary intervention during the previous 2– 1 2 months and who had stenosing atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries – brachiocephalic arteries and/or arteries of the lower extremities. The main group – MG (n=50) consisted of patients who received combined hypolipidemic treatment: atorvastatin in dosage 40 mg/day + Vazosponin 400 mg/day along with baseline treatment. The control group (CG) included 50 patients who received only atorvastatin in dosage 40 mg/day along with baseline treatment. The observation period for each patient was 90 days with 3 control points (on the 1st, 10th and 90th days of therapy), in which were evaluated the elasticity indicators of the main arteries – pulse wave velocity, linear blood flow velocity, total peripheral vascular resistance, actual specific vascular resistance.

Results. There was a decrease in pulse wave velocity in both groups by the 90th day of the study, with a significant advantage in the group of patients who received Vazosponin: in the CG the indicator decreased by 7.3% (p<0.05), in the MG – by 19.3% (p<0.05). The decrease in linear blood flow velocity was 14.3% (p<0.05), in the CG the indicator decreased by 5.7% (p<0.05). The dynamics of peripheral vascular resistance indicators showed an obvious advantage in the group of patients who received plant saponins: in the MG of patients, a decrease in total peripheral vascular resistance was detected by an average of 11.0% (p=0.006) and actual specific vascular resistance – by 39.3% (p=0.0008), while in the CG – by 4.5% and 5.0%, respectively.

Conclusion. The addition of Vazosponin to the basic therapy of patients with multifocal atherosclerosis made it possible to achieve an additional increase in the elasticity of the arterial system, a significant decrease in peripheral vascular resistance, and the elimination of the “escape effect” of basic therapy. The data presented make it possible to consider the possibility of using preparations of plant saponins in combination therapy of patients with multifocal atherosclerosis who have instrumentally verified violations of the elastic properties of the arterial system.