ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the effect of rhubarb on intestinal mucosal damage in septic rats by comparing with ulinastatin.Methods A total of 84 healthy Sprague-Dawley rats (half male,half female),aged 3 months,weighing 200-330 g,were randomly divided into 5 groups according to the random number table:control group (group C,n =6),sham operation group (group S,n =6),sepsis group (group Sep),rhubarb group (group R,n=24) and ulinastatin group (group U,n=24).Sepsis was induced by cecum ligation and puncture.In group R,rhubarb 1.2 g/100 g was dissolved in normal saline at room temperature,3 and 4 h later the filtrate about 2-3 ml was obtained and injected through a gastric tube into stomach once every 12 h,and 72 h later sepsis was induced.In group U,ulinastatin 50 000 U/kg (in 2 ml of normal saline) was injected once every 24 h,and 72 h later sepsis was induced.In Sep,R and U groups,at 6,12,24 and 48 h after ligation (T1 4),blood samples were collected from the orbital venous plexus for determination of plasma diamine oxidase (DAO) activity.Results The activity of plasma DAO was significantly higher at T1-4 in Sep,R and U groups than in C and S groups.The activity of plasma DAO was significantly lower at T3,4 in R and U groups than in Sep group.There was no statistical difference in the plasma DAO activity between R group and U group.Conclusion Rhubarb can reduce intestinal mucosal damage in septic rats,which is similar to that of ulinastatin.