Effect of ModifiedYin-Chen-HaoDecoction on Expression of AQP8 mRNA and Protein in Rats with Estrogen-induced Cholestasis / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

ABSTRACT

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of modifiedYin-Chen-Hao (YCH) decoction on the expression of aquaporin-8 (AQP8) mRNA and protein in rats with estrogen-induced cholestasis, in order to explore the potential mechanism of YCH decoction in the treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis during pregnancy. A total of 50 SD female rats, which were weighed between 180 g to 200 g, were randomly divided into the normal group (N,n = 10) and the model group (M’,n = 40). The animal model of intrahepatic cholestasis was induced by subcutaneous injection of 17-α-ethinylestradiol (5 mg·kg-1·d-1) for 5 days of rats in M’ group. The same volume of propylene glycol was subcutaneously injected to rats in N group. Five days later, rats in M’ group were divided into the model group (M,n = 10), high-dose (Zg,n = 10), middle-dose (Zz,n = 10) and low-dose (Zd,n = 10) modified YCH decoction group. The intragastric administration of normal saline, high-dose, middle-dose and low-dose modified YCH decoction were given to each group for 7 days, respectively. Then, rats were sacrificed and the liver tissues were removed and stored in liquid nitrogen. The expression of AQP8 mRNA and protein were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting analysis. The results showed that compared with the normal group (N), the expression of AQP8 mRNA and protein in liver tissues of rats in the model group (M) were decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group (M), the high-dose, middle-dose and low-dose modified YCH decoction can increase the expression of AQP8 mRNA and protein in liver tissues (P < 0.05). Moreover, along with the dose increasing of modified YCH decoction, the upregulation of AQP8 mRNA and protein was increased. It was concluded that the molecular mechanism of modified YCH decoction in treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis during pregnancy may be through the increasing of AQP8 mRNA and protein in liver tissues.