Wang YL, Zheng YQ, Xia SH, Wang HY, Su LT, Wu S. Oxymatrine enhances the expression of collagen I and α-SMA in rat chronic pancreatitis.
Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2010;
18:1331-1336. [DOI:
10.11569/wcjd.v18.i13.1331]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the treatment effects of oxymatrine (OM) against chronic pancreatitis in rats and to explore the potential mechanisms involved.
METHODS: Forty healthy Wistar rats were randomly and equally divided into four groups: negative control group (NC group), CP model group (CP group), OM treatment group (OT group), and OM pretreatment group (OP group), which received saline qod, diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) at 700 mg/kg qod, diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) at 700 mg/kg qod and OM at 100 mg/kg a week later, and diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) at 700 mg/kg qod and OM at 100 mg/kg simultaneously, respectively. Thirty days later, DDC injection was discontinued, while OM treatment continued. Rats were executed on days 20 and 40 (n = 5 at each time point). Collagen fibers were stained by Masson's trichrome. The localization and expression of collagen I and α-SMA in chronic pancreatitis were examined by immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS: Collage I was localized in the periphery of the pancreas in the NC group. In the CP group, collagen I could also be seen in periacinar and perilobular areas. The immunoreactivity of α-SMA was detected in the blood vessel wall in the NC group, and in the blood vessel wall and periacinar area in the CP group. The expression of collagen I and α-SMA in periacinar area was significantly lower in the OP and OT groups than in the CP group. The percentages of collagen area on days 20 and 40 were significantly lower in the NC group (3.0% ± 0.32% and 2.45% ± 0.24%) than in the other groups (all P < 0.05), but significantly higher in the CP group (22.54% ± 4.45% and 35.14% ± 3.27%) than in the OP group (13.16% ± 1.84% and 25.14% ± 3.67%) and the OT group (19.58% ± 2.78% and 28.68% ± 2.55%). The percentages of collagen areas on day 40 in the CP and OT groups were significantly higher than those on day 20 (both P < 0.05). The relative expression levels of α-SMA on days 20 and 40 were significantly higher in the CP group (1.06 ± 0.04 and 1.16 ± 0.03) than in other groups (all P < 0.05). The NC group had the lowest relative expression level of α-SMA (0.73 ± 0.06 and 0.78 ± 0.06). No significant difference was noted in the relative expression level of α-SMA between the OT and OP groups.
CONCLUSION: The expression of collagen I and α-SMA is enhanced in rat CP, predominantly localized in perivascular, periacinar and perilobular areas. OM can decrease collagen production and pancreatic stellate cell activation and thereby inhibit the development of pancreatic fibrosis.
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