Effect of Chang'an No. I Recipe on 5-hydroxytryptamine Signal System and mRNA Expression Levels of Hippocampal Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Visceral Hypersensitivity Rats with Irritable Bowel Syndrome / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of Chang'an No. I Recipe (CA) on 5-hydroxytryptamine signal system and mRNA expression levels of hippocampal brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in visceral hypersensitivity model rats with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>IBS visceral hypersensitivity rat models were established by combined chronic restraint stress and forced swimming. Successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group, the Dicetelgroup (27 mg/kg) , the Fluoxetine group (3.6 mg/kg), the high dose CA group (22.6 mg/kg), the medium dose CA group (11.3 mg/kg), and the low dose CA group (5.7 mg/kg) according to body weight, 9 in each group. Besides, a normal control group with 10 rats was set up. Corresponding medication was administered to rats in each treatment group. Equal volume of physiological saline was administered to rats in the model group by gastrogavage. All medication was performed once per day for a total of 14 days. Pain threshold was determined by abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR). Changes of colon 5-HT levels were determined by immunohistochemical assay. mRNA expression levels of hippocampal 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptor (5-HT1a) and BDNF were detected by immunofluorescent RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal control group before treatment, pain threshold was obviously lowered in proctectasia rats of each group (P < 0.01). Compared with the normal control group after treatment, pain threshold was obviously lowered in rats of the model group; colon 5-HT levels, mRNA expression levels of hippocampal 5-HT1a and BDNF were obviously elevated (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, pain threshold was obviously elevated in the Fluoxetine group and all CA groups; colon 5-HT levels were obviously reduced in the Dicetel group, high and medium dose CA groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); mRNA expression levels of hippocampal 5-HT1a and BDNF were obviously reduced in each CA group (P < 0.01); mRNA expression levels of hippocampal BDNF were obviously reduced in the Fluoxetine group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The target points of CA were involved in brain and gut. CA could reduce pain threshold of proctectasia rats, down-regulate colon mucosal 5-HT levels, and lower mRNA expression levels of BDNF and 5-HT1a in rat hippocampus.</p>

Preliminary study of establishing and assessing IBS-D model rats of gan stagnation and Pi deficiency syndrome / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a new disease-syndrome-symptom integrated diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) rat model of Gan stagnation and Pi deficiency syndrome (GSPDS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>(1) The model establishment method: We combined mother-infant separation, chronic restraint, and senna gavage to establish a new IBS-D model of GSPDS. Totally 48 experimental rats were divided into the normal group (Group A), the mother-infant separation group (Group B), the chronic restraint group (Group C), and the senna gavage group (Group D), the mother-infant separation + senna gavage group (Group E), and the mother-infant separation + chronic restraint + senna gavage group (Group F), 8 in each group. (2) The model evaluation method: We used pain threshold indicating colorectal distension to represent for the visceral sensitivity, thus evaluating the establishment of "disease" model; open field test and serum D-xylose levels to evaluate the establishment of GSPDS model; defecation numbers of grain and loose stool rate to evaluate the establishment of diarrhea symptom.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Compared with Group A, the body weight gained less in Group F, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). (2) The pain threshold significantly decreased in Group F, showing statistical difference when compared with Group A (P < 0.05). (3) Compared with Group A, the total cross number, the standing number, and the decoration number in Group F significantly decreased (P < 0.05). (4) Compared with Group A, the serum D-xylose level of Group F significantly decreased (P < 0.05). (5) Compared with Group A, the defecation numbers of grain and the loose stool rate significantly increased, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>A new disease-syndrome-symptom integrated IBS-D animal model of GSPDS successfully established might be a better animal model used for studying IBS by Chinese medicine. However, further studies are needed.</p>