ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of Qingyi II Recipe (QR) on the intestinal barrier function (IBF) of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-eight SD rats were selected to prepare SAP model. After modeling, they were randomly divided into the model group and the QR treatment group, 24 in each group. Another 8 rats were selected as the sham-operation group. The intervention was started just when they came to resuscitation from anesthesia. Rats in the QR treatment group was administered with QR (1 mL/100 g) by gastrogavage, while an equal volume of normal saline was given to rats in the sham-operation group and the model group by gastrogavage. The gastrogavage was performed once every 6 h. Eight rats were selected from each group 6, 12, and 24 h after intervention. The ascites amount was measured after opening abdomens. The concentrations of serum diamine oxidase (DAO) and D-lactate were measured. Pathological changes of pancreas and ileum were observed. The pathological scoring of the pancreas was performed. The ileum were scanned by electron microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no ascites in the sham-operation group. There was no obviously pathological abnormality in the pancreas or ileum. Compared with the sham-operation group, the ascites amount, serum DAO, D-lactate, and pathological scoring all increased at 6 h in the model group, showing statistical difference (P<0.05). In the model group, the serum DAO, D-lactate, and pathological scoring increased gradually at 6 -24 h with statistical difference (P<0.05). Results under microscope showed disarranged structure, interstitial edema, hemorrhage, a large amount of neutrophil infiltration, local foci or lamellar intestinal necrosis. The 24-h ascites amount increased more at 24 h than at 12 h in the model group with statistical difference (P<0.05). The serum D-lactate and patho- logical scoring increased gradually at 6 -24 h in the QR treatment group with statistical difference (P<0.05). The 24-h ascites amount and DAO increased more at 24 h than at 12 h in the model group with statistical difference (P<0.05). Compared with the model group at the same time point, each index decreased at 6 -24 h in the QR treatment group with statistical difference (P<0.05). Results under microscope showed edema and congestion of the intestinal mucosa tissue, little amount of neutrophil infiltration. But the degrees were milder when compared with those of the model group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QR protected IBF of SAP rats.</p>