An experimental study of influence of Qingwen Baidu decoction on serum procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels in septic rats / 中国中西医结合急救杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the influence of Qingwen Baidu decoction (QBD) on serum procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in septic rats and study the mechanism of heat-clearing and detoxifying method for treatment of sepsis. Methods Fifty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group (n=5), model group (n=25), and heat-clearing and detoxifying experimental group (experimental group, n=20). The septic model was reproduced by intra-peritoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 5 mg/kg). In control group, an equal volume of normal saline was given. After modeling for 2 hours, the heat-clearing and detoxifying experimental group received QBD the first time (composition of the decoction Gypsum Fibrosum Recens 30 g, Rehmanniae Radix 10 g, Bubali Cornu 15 g, Coptidis Rhizoma 4 g, Gardeniae Fructus 5 g, Platycodonis Radix 5 g, Scutellariae Radix 5 g, Anemarrhenae Rhizoma 5 g, Paeoniae Radix Rubra 5 g, Scrophulariae Radix 5 g, Forsythiae Fructus 5 g, Glycyrrhizae Radix 5 g, Moutan Cortex 5 g, Lophatheri Herba 5 g) by gavage (0.01 mL/g); the rest administration time was 0800 to 0900, once a day. The rats in model group were given an equal volume of warm water by gavage. At different time points after modeling, the blood of 5 rats in control group, model group, and experimental group was collected from the abdominal aorta. The serum PCT and CRP levels were tested by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the pathological changes in lung and intestinal tissue were observed under a light microscope. Results Compared with the control group, the PCT level of the model group after modeling for 2 hours was significantly increased (ng/L332.32±22.85 vs. 70.46±3.18, P 0.05). The level of CRP in model group was lower than that of control group at 24 hours and 72 hours after modeling (μg/L281.34±32.81, 237.84±41.42 vs. 350.09±56.67, P 0.05). The PCT level of experimental group was significantly lower than that of model group beginning from 48 hours after modeling (ng/L 321.57±28.00 vs. 358.12±10.14, P < 0.05), and this situation continued until 72 hours after modeling (ng/L 269.50±49.10 vs. 347.69±26.90, P <0.05). The CRP level of experimental group was significantly lower than that of model group beginning from 8 hours after modeling (μg/L232.73±13.29 vs. 335.35±53.78, P<0.05), this statistical significant difference between the two groups persisted until 72 hours after modeling (μg/L177.31±6.70 vs. 237.84±41.42, P<0.05). Compared to those in the model group, the lung tissue inflammatory cell infiltration, the intestinal mucosal inflammation and interstitial edema were milder in the experimental group. Conclusion Heat-clearing and detoxifying therapy can effectively reduce the serum PCT and CRP levels of septic rats induced by LPS, and it can alleviate the infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung tissues so as to play a role in protection of tissue organ.