ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of Dange Jiecheng decoction on a rat model of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and the anti-oxidative stress mechanism of Dange Jiecheng decoction. Methods A total of 96 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into blank group with 13 rats and ALD group with 83 rats, and the rats in the ALD group were given liquor by gavage to establish a model of ALD. Then the ALD group was randomly divided into model group, high-dose Dange Jiecheng decoction group (24 g/kg), low-dose Dange Jiecheng decoction group (6 g/kg), and Yiganling tablet group (21 mg/kg), with 17 rats in each group. The rats in the blank group and the model group were given normal saline by gavage, and those in the other groups were given corresponding drugs by gavage, for 4 consecutive weeks. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of liver tissue; Western blot was used to measure the contents of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in liver tissue; quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of Keap1 and HO-1 in liver tissue. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t -test was used for further comparison between two groups. Results Compared with the blank group, the model group had disordered arrangement of hepatocytes with necrosis, massive inflammatory cell infiltration, and a large number of lipid droplet vacuoles, significant increases in the protein and mRNA expression levels of Keap1 ( P < 0.05), and significant reductions in the protein expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 and the mRNA expression level of HO-1 ( P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the high- and low-dose Dange Jiecheng decoction groups and the Yiganling tablet group had ordered arrangement of hepatocytes, reductions in hepatocyte necrosis and inflammatory cells, and occasional lipid droplet vacuoles, as well as significant reductions in the protein and mRNA expression levels of Keap1 ( P < 0.05) and significant increases in the protein expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 and the mRNA expression level of HO-1 ( P < 0.05). Conclusion By regulating the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway, Dange Jiecheng decoction can promote the nuclear import of Nrf2, upregulate the expression of HO-1, and alleviate oxidative stress response, thereby exerting a protective effect on ALD rats.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effect of the yang-warming and fluid retention-resolving mothed on neuroendocrine and inflammatory factors in chronic heart failure (CHF) rats. Methods A total of 50 healthy adult male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group (10), CHF group (40). In CHF group, the rat model of chronic heart failure was replicated by intraperitoneal injection of adriamycin (ADR). After the completion of the model making, doppler echocardiography was used to determine the cardiac function of rats. There rats were randomly divided into the model group, the yang-warming and fluid retention-resolving group, the Xuefu-Zhuyu group and the captopril group. After continuous administration for 28 d and 2 h after the last dose, the HE staining was used to observe the pathological morphological changes of myocardium in each group. The levels of AngⅡ, TNF-α and IL-6 in serum were by ELISA. Results Compared with model group, the content of serum AngⅡ(294.33 ± 25.45 pg/ml, 265.86 ± 27.80 pg/ml, 301.87 ± 41.67 pg/ml vs. 615.44 ± 22.31 pg/ml), TNF-α(117.15 ± 11.33 pg/ml, 114.02 ± 11.57 pg/ml, 133.35 ± 34.80 pg/ml vs. 185.72 ± 36.53 pg/ml), IL-6 (23.97 ± 4.77 pg/ml, 27.61 ± 7.01 pg/ml, 28.38 ± 5.78 pg/ml vs. 58.45 ± 6.36 pg/ml) in the yang-warming and fluid retention-resolving group, Xuefu-Zhuyu group and captopril group significantly decreased (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Compared with Xuefu-Zhuyu group, the content of serumAngⅡ (301.87 ± 41.67 pg/ml vs. 265.86 ± 27.80 pg/ml) in the captopril group significantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusions The yang-warming and fluid retention-resolving mothed can reduce early CHF rats through reducing the serum TNF-α, Ang and ILⅡ -6 content, which could be one of the mechanism of action of the treatment of CHF.