A mechanistic study of Anwei decoction intervention in a rat model of gastric intestinal metaplasia through the endoplasmic reticulum stress - Autophagy pathway

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the mechanism of Anwei decoction (AWD) intervention on gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) using a rat model through the endoplasmic reticulum stress-autophagy pathway.

METHODS

Gastric intestinal metaplasia was induced in rats using 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine. The experiment included a normal control group, a model group, and low-, medium- and high-dose AWD groups. The specificity of intestinal epithelial cells was determined for model establishment and drug efficacy by detecting the protein expression of markers such as MUC2, VILLIN and CDX2 through western blotting (WB). The effects of AWD on endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy were evaluated by measuring the mRNA and protein expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers (PEPK, ATF6, CHOP and caspase-12) and autophagy markers (LC3Ⅱ and Beclin-1) using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and the WB method. Furthermore, the ultrastructure of gastric mucosal cells and autophagosome status were observed using transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTS

Compared with the model group, the AWD-treated rats exhibited significant improvement in body weight (P < 0.01), reduced protein expression of the intestine epithelial cell-specific markers MUC2, VILLIN, CDX2 and KLF4 (P < 0.01 for all) and increased SOX2 protein expression (P < 0.01). In addition, AWD suppressed the mRNA and protein expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers PEPK and ATF6 (P < 0.01 for all) and promoted the mRNA and protein expression of autophagy and apoptosis markers CHOP, caspase-12, LC3Ⅱ and Beclin-1 (P < 0.01 for all).

CONCLUSION

Anwei decoction effectively inhibits the further progression of GIM and prevents the occurrence of gastric mucosal carcinogenesis.

Effect of Anwei decoction on expression of P21ras and P53 in malignant ulcers in rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of Anwei decoction on P21ras and P53 protein expression in experimental malignant ulcers in a rat model.

METHODS: Seventy-two rats were randomly divided into a blank control group, a model control groups, high-, medium- and low-dose Anwei decoction group, and a Weifuchun group. Malignant ulcers were induced in rats by applying acetic acid to gastric mucosal surface. Immunohistochemistry was used for detection of P21ras and P53 protein expression.

RESULTS: Compared with the model control group, P21ras expression levels were significantly decreased in the Anwei decoction groups and Weifuchun group (P < 0.05). P21ras expression levels in ulcer tissue differed significantly between the medium Anwei decoction group and the Weifuchun group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model control group, P53 expression levels were significantly increased in the high-dose Anwei decoction group and Weifuchun group (P < 0.05). Obvious ulcer healing was noted in Anwei decoction groups.

CONCLUSION: Anwei decoction has a significant effect on the expression of P21ras and P53 in malignant ulcers in rats, and this may be one of mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of Anwei decoction against canceration of malignant ulcers.