ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of berberine on the release of nitric oxide (NO) by rat intestinal mucous microvascular endothelial cells (RIMECs) cultured in vitro for exploring the pharmacological mechanism of berberine in treating intestinal disease. METHODS: Cultured RIMECs in vitro were identified adopting immunofluorescent stain with factor VIII-related antigen. NO level in the supernatant of normal cell culture or cell culture treated with different concentrations of berberine was detected with colorimetry at the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th h and compared. RESULTS: Compared with that in the normal control group, NO level increased more obviously in the berberine treated groups, and the best effect was shown in the 5 microg/mL berberine treated group. CONCLUSION: One of the important pharmacological mechanisms of berberine might be through promoting the endogenous NO release to induce endothelium-dependent dilatation of microvascular in intestinal mucosa, thus to improve the local microcirculation of intestine.
Subject(s)
Berberine/pharmacology , Endothelial Cells/drug effects , Intestinal Mucosa/blood supply , Nitric Oxide/biosynthesis , Animals , Cells, Cultured , Colorimetry , Endothelial Cells/cytology , Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Intestinal Mucosa/cytology , Rats , Time FactorsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To observe effect of electroacupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36) on expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-like immunoreactive substance in spinal cord of the rat and to probe the mechanism. METHODS: The IFN-gamma-like immunoreactive positive cell number in spinal cord of the rat was investigated with immunohistochemical SP method and microscopy. RESULTS: After electroacupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36), IFN-gamma-like immunoreactive positive cell number in the spinal cord of the rat with electroacupuncture plus immunosuppression did not significantly change (P > 0.05). The number of positive cells in the dorsal horn in the rats with immunosuppression was significantly less than that in the normal control group (P < 0.05) with no significant change in other parts and with no significant difference between the electroacupuncture group and the control group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36) can increase expression of IFN-gamma-like immunoreactive substance in spinal cord of the rat, and acupuncture activates the nerve-immunoregulative network possibly by IFN-gamma as medium.
