ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study aimed to screen for differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) in the colons of rats with visceral hypersensitivity to build the expression profiles of miRNAs therein and to determine the mechanism of Tongxieyaofang use in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into four groups: control group, model control group (induced by rectum stimulus and evaluated by abdominal withdraw reaction), treatment control group (normal saline), and Tongxieyaofang group (treated with Tongxieyaofang). We screened for differential expression of colonic mucosal miRNAs using liquid chip technology and verified the expression thereof using reverse transcription-PCR. RESULTS: The visceral hypersensitivity rat model was successfully established. We found the expression of let-7f, let-7i, miR-130b, miR-29a, miR-132, miR-21, and miR-375 to be up-regulated (p < 0.05), while the expression of miR-24, miR-31a, miR-192, miR-221, and miR-223 was down-regulated (p < 0.05) in the visceral hypersensitivity rats. After treatment with Tongxieyaofang, the expression of let-7f, let-7i, miR-130b, miR-29a, miR-132, miR-21, and miR-375 was reduced (p < 0.05), whereas the expression of miR-24, miR-31a, miR-192, miR-221, miR-223 was increased, compared to the treatment control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: MiRNAs play a pivotal role in visceral hypersensitivity and might be targets in the treatment of IBS by Tongxieyaofang.