Effects of four regulating-intestine prescriptions on pathology and ultrastructure of colon tissue in rats with ulcerative colitis.

AIM: To observe different histomorphologic changes of ulcerative colitis (UC) rats that were treated with four regulating-intestine prescriptions (FRIP), to investigate the curative effects of FRIP and to analyze their treatment mechanism. METHODS: The UC rat model was made by the method of 2,4-dinitro chloro benzene (DNCB) immunity and acetic acid local enema. Ninety-eight SD rats were randomly divided into seven groups, namely, the normal control group, model group, salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP) group, Wumeiwan (WMW) group, Baitouwengtang (BTWT) group, Senglingbaishusan (SLBSS) group, and Tongxieyaofang (TXYF) group. Each group had 14 rats (with equal ratio of male and female). The six animal model groups of UC -SASP, TXYF, WMW, BTWT, SLBSS, TXYF-were treated by distilled water except the normal control group. Changes of the rat's general conditions after treatment were respectively observed, the colon tissue damage scores were given out, the pathology of colonic mucosa and changes of ultrastructure were analyzed. RESULTS: Different pathological changes on histology were shown after treatment by FRIP. The colon tissue damage score in model group was higher than that of FRIP groups and SASP group (q = 4.59, 4.77, P<0.05 or q = 5.48, 6.25, 5.97, P<0.01). The scores of WMW group, BTWT group and SLBSS group were lower than that of SASP (q = 4.13, P<0.05 or q = 5.31, 5.12, P<0.01). There was no remarkable difference between the damage score of TXYF group and SASP group (q = 3.75, P>0.05). In addition, some apoptosis cells were found in the pathologic control group. CONCLUSION: The model made with DNCB and acetic acid was successful, and FRIP had better curative effect and WMW was the best curative effect, BTW, SLBSS and TXYF were similar to SASP, and we discovered that apoptosis was possibly related to UC.

Effects of Zuogui Wan on neurocyte apoptosis and down-regulation of TGF-beta1 expression in nuclei of arcuate hypothalamus of monosodium glutamate -liver regeneration rats.

AIM: To inquire into the effects and mechanism of Zuogui Wan (Pills for Kidney Yin) on neurocyte apoptosis in nuclei of arcuate hypothalamus (ARN) of monosodium glutamate (MSG)-liver regeneration rats, and the mechanism of liver regeneration by using optic microscope, electron microscope and in situ end labeling technology to adjust nerve-endocrine-immunity network. METHODS: Neurocyte apoptosis in ARN of the experiment rats was observed by using optic microscope, electron microscope and in situ end labeling technology. Expression of TGF-beta1 in ARN was observed by using immunohistochemistry method. RESULTS: The expression of TGF-beta1 in rats of model group was increased with the increase of ARN neurocyte apoptosis index (AI) (t = 8.3097, 12.9884, P<0.01). As compared with the rats of model group, the expression of TGF-beta1 in rats of Zuogui Wan treatment group was decreased with the significant decrease of ARN neurocyte apoptosis (t = 4.5624, 11.1420, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Brain neurocyte calcium ion overexertion and TGF-beta1 protein participate in the adjustment and control of ARN neurocyte apoptosis in MSG-liver regeneration-rats. Zuogui Wan can prevent ARN neurocyte apoptosis of MSG-liver regeneration in rats by down-regulating the expression of TGF-beta1, and influence liver regeneration through adjusting nerve-endocrine-immune network.