Da-Cheng-Qi decoction improves severe acute pancreatitis-associated acute lung injury by interfering with intestinal lymphatic pathway and reducing HMGB1-induced inflammatory response in rats

Abstract

Context

Da-Cheng-Qi Decoction (DCQD) has a significant effect on Severe Acute Pancreatitis-Associated Acute Lung Injury (SAP-ALI).

Objective

To explore the mechanism of DCQD in the treatment of SAP-ALI based on intestinal barrier function and intestinal lymphatic pathway.

Materials and methods

Forty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: sham operation, model, and DCQD. The SAP model was induced by a retrograde infusion of 5.0% sodium taurocholate solution (1 mg/kg) at a constant rate of 12 mL/h using an infusion pump into the bile-pancreatic duct. Sham operation and model group were given 0.9% normal saline, while DCQD group was given DCQD (5.99 g/kg/d) by gavage 1 h before operation and 1, 11 and 23 h after operation. The levels of HMGB1, RAGE, TNF-α, IL-6, ICAM-1, d-LA, DAO in blood and MPO in lung were detected using ELISA. The expression of HMGB1, RAGE, NF-κB p65 in mesenteric lymph nodes and lung were determined.

Results

Compared with SAP group, DCQD significantly reduced the histopathological scoring of pancreatic tissue (SAP, 2.80 ± 0.42; DCQD, 2.58 ± 0.52), intestine (SAP, 3.30 ± 0.68; DCQD, 2.50 ± 0.80) and lung (SAP, 3.30 ± 0.68; DCQD, 2.42 ± 0.52). DCQD reduced serum HMGB1 level (SAP, 134.09 ± 19.79; DCQD, 88.05 ± 9.19), RAGE level (SAP, 5.05 ± 1.44; DCQD, 2.13 ± 0.54). WB and RT-PCR showed HMGB1-RAGE pathway was inhibited by DCQD (p < 0.01).

Discussion and conclusions

DCQD improves SAP-ALI in rats by interfering with intestinal lymphatic pathway and reducing HMGB1-induced inflammatory response.

Keywords:

• Intestinal barrier function
• traditional Chinese medicine
• NF-κB p65

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos.81302929, 81973809), Shanghai High level Talents Guidance Plan for Traditional Chinese Medicine (No.ZY(2021-2023)-0403), Shanghai Municipal Health Commission-Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovation Team (No. 2022CX002), Shanghai Municipal Health Commission-Zhu Shengliang's Academic Experience Research Studio Project of Shanghai Famous Traditional Chinese Medicine (No. SHGZS-202203).