Effect of astragalus membranaceus on the ultrastructure of small intestinal epithelial cells in rabbits with hemorrhagic shock / 中华麻醉学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of astragalus membranaceus on the ultrastructure of small intestinal epithelial cells in rabbits with hemorrhagic shock. Methods Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits of both sexes weighing 2-3 kg were randomly divided into 3 equal groups (A) control group received normal saline iv ( n = 8); (B) group HI received astragalus membranaceus 20 mg? kg-1 iv ( n = 8); ( C) group H2 received astragalus membranaceus 10 mg?kg-1 iv ( n = 8 ). Animal model of hemorrhagic shock-resuscitation was established according to Wigger's. A strip of small intestine, 10 cm in length was taken from distal end of ileum for electron microscopic examination. The two-dimensional structural parameters and three-dimensional structural parameters of mitochondria were calculated. Results (1) Morphological changes of small intestine in group H1 epithelial cells were orderly arranged, with relatively normal mitochondria and intestinal villi were slender and orderly; in group H2 the nuclei in epithelial cells were dwindled, the intestinal villi were thin and short and unorderly arranged with slightly swelled mitochondria and blurring ridges. Endoplasmatic reticulum was dilated; in group C the gaps between epithelial cells widened. There were a lot of apoptotic cells. Microvilli were thin and short and swelled. Mitochondria were swelled with broken ridges. Endoplasmatic reticulum was severely dilated. (2) Structural parameters of mitochondria in group C there were least mitochondria and the swelling of mitochondria was severe; in group H1 there were plenty of mitochondria and the swelling was slightest; in group H2 the changes in mitochondria were between group C and H1. Conclusion Astragalus membranaceus can protect small intestine from ischemia/reperfusion injury in a dose-dependent manner.