制刺猬皮水提取物对DSS诱导小鼠溃疡性结肠炎的保护作用

溃疡性结肠炎(ulcerative colitis,UC)是一种以肠道黏膜慢性炎症为特征的疾病,其具体发病机制尚未完全明确。制刺猬皮作为中药,在治疗便血和痔疮方面已展现出良好的抗炎效果。然而,其对溃疡性结肠炎的治疗作用尚待深入研究。本研究旨在探索制刺猬皮水提取物对葡聚糖硫酸钠盐(dextran sulfate sodium salt,DSS)诱导的小鼠溃疡性结肠炎的保护效果及其可能的作用机制。通过给小鼠提供含3%DSS的饮用水,成功模拟出溃疡性结肠炎的病理变化。HE染色结果揭示,制刺猬皮水提取物可以显著减轻DSS引起的结肠损伤。转录物组测序结果鉴别出10个关键的炎症相关基因(IL-6、CSF2、TNF、IL10、IFN-γ、CXCL1、CXCL2、CXCL5、CXCL9、CXCL10),通过qRT-PCR和Western印迹检测验证,这些基因在制刺猬皮水提取物作用下均显著下调(P<0.05)。IF结果进一步表明,制刺猬皮水提取物能够降低DSS诱导的结肠中M1型巨噬细胞比例的增加。利用单细胞测序,深入挖掘了不同细胞类型之间的通讯关系,尤其揭示了M1型巨噬细胞和成纤维细胞间的交流特别强烈。随后的qRT-PCR和Western印迹检测结果显示,制刺猬皮水提取物能够显著降低DSS引发的结肠组织纤维化相关基因的表达(P<0.05)。本研究结果表明,制刺猬皮水提取物通过抑制M1型巨噬细胞极化,降低炎性因子的表达,以及阻止M1型巨噬细胞与成纤维细胞的强烈交流,从而对DSS诱导的溃疡性结肠炎产生保护效果。这些发现不仅揭示了制刺猬皮水提取物对结肠炎的治疗机制,也为其在临床中的应用提供了新的理论基础。

溃疡性结肠炎患者检测IL-1β、IL-6、IL-8的临床价值

目的探讨检查血清IL-1β、IL-6、IL-8浓度变化在溃疡性结肠炎（UC）发病及治疗中的临床价值。方法采用酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA法）检验UC病情严重程度不同患者96例及健康人（对照组）血清IL-1β、IL-6、IL-8水平。分别比较活动期UC患者与缓解期、正常对照组的IL-1β、IL-6、IL-8水平差异；比较缓解期患者与正常对照组的差异；比较重度UC患者与轻、中度患者间的差异。结果UC活动期患者血清IL-1β、IL-6、IL-8水平明显高于UC缓解期患者和健康人（P〈0．05）；UC缓解期患者血清IL-1β、IL-6、IL-8水平与健康人相比差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）；重度uc患者血清IL-1β、IL-6、IL-8水平高于中、轻度患者（P〈0．05）。结论UC患者存在严重的细胞免疫功能紊乱；IL-1β、IL-6、IL-8在UC的发生、发展中起着重要作用；联合测定血清IL-1β、IL-6及IL-8水平可及时反映UC病情变化及程度。

Clinical significance of plasma D-dimer and von Willebrand factor levels in patients with ulcer colitis

AIM: To investigate the levels of D-dimer(DD) and von Willebrand factor(vWF) and the relationship between DD and vWF in ulcerative colitis(UC) patients. METHODS: A total of 29 plasma specimens were obtained from patients with ulcerative colitis (male 13, female 16) aged 21-47 years (33+/-11). Disease activity was assessed by Truelove-Writeria. Patients with a score of above 5 were regarded as having active colitis. Twenty healthy people(male 12, female 8) aged 19-53 years(31+/-14) served as normal controls. Blood samples were taken from an antecubital vein puncture. Blood(1.8 mL) was injected into the tubes containing sodium citrate (0.13 mmol/L). The plasma was obtained by centrifugation at 3000 r.min(-1) for 10 min, and stored at -80 degrees until assayed by ELISA. RESULTS: The mean plasma levels of DD and vWF in active UC patients were significantly higher than those of the controls (0.69+/-0.41 vs 0.27+/-0.11, P【0.01 143+/-46 vs 103+/-35, P【0.01). The mean plasma levels of DD in the patients with active disease were higher than those with inactive disease(0.69+/-0.41 vs 0.48+/-0.29 P【0.05). The levels of vWF were not different between active and inactive patients. DD levels were positively related to vWF levels( r =0.574, P【0.01). There was no significant difference between levels of DD and vWF and the scope of disease and sex of the patients. CONCLUSION: vWF is an important feature and a good marker of UC intravascular thrombus and endothelial cell dysfunction were found in UC patients and the combined test of DD and vWF is helpful to distinguish the activity of the UC patients.

Promoter polymorphism of transforming growth factor-β1 gene and ulcerative colitis

AIM: To elucidate the possible difference in two promoter polymorphisms of the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) gene (-800G > A, -509C > T) between ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and normal subjects.METHODS: A total of 155 patients with established ulcerative colitis and 139 normal subjects were selected as controls. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms within the promoter region of TGF-β1 gene (-509C > T and -800G > A) were genotyped using PCR-RFLP. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in genotype and allele frequency distributions between UC patients and controls for the -800G > A polymorphism of the TGF-β1 gene (P < 0.05). The frequency of the TGF-β1 gene polymorphism at position -800 showed that the AA genotype and the allele A frequencies significantly differed between the patients and healthy controls (P < 0.05). At position -509, there was no statically significant difference in genotype and allele frequency between the patients and control subjects.CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that there is a significant difference in both allele and genotype frequency at position -800G > A of TGF-β1 gene promoter between Iranian patients with UC and normal subjects.

Association of Fas/Apo1 gene promoter (-670 A/G) polymorphism in Tunisian patients with IBD

AIM： To detect a possible association between the polymorphism of the （-670 A/G） Fas/Apol gene promoter and susceptibility to Crohn＇s disease （CD） and ulcerative colitis （UC） in the Tunisian population. METHODS： The （-670 A/G） Fas polymorphism was analyzed in 105 patients with CD, 59 patients with UC, and 100 controls using the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism method. RESULTS： Significantly lower frequencies of the Fas -670 A allele and A/A homozygous individuals were observed in CD and UC patients when compared with controls. Analysis of （-670 A/G） Fas polymorphism with respect to sex in CD and UC showed a significant difference in A/A genotypes between female patients and controls （P corrected = 0.004 ＂in CD patients＂ and P corrected = 0.02 ＂in UC patients＂, respectively）. Analysis also showed a statistically significant association between genotype AA of the （-670 A/G） polymorphism and the ileum localization of the lesions （P corrected = 0.048） and between genotype GG and the colon localization （P corrected = 0.009）. The analysis of IBD patients according to clinical behavior revealed no difference. CONCLUSION： Fas-670 polymorphism was associated with the development of CD and UC in the Tunisian population.

Impact of medical therapies on inflammatory bowel disease complication rate

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are progressive diseases associated with a high risk of complications over time including strictures,fistulae,perianal complications,surgery,and colorectal cancer.Changing the natural history and avoiding evolution to a disabling disease should be the main goal of treatment.In recent studies,mucosal healing has been associated with longer-term remission and fewer complications.Conventional therapies with immunosuppressive drugs are able to induce mucosal healing in a minority of cases but their impact on disease progression appears modest.Higher rates of mucosal healing can be achieved with anti-tumor necrosis factor therapies that reduce the risk of relapse,surgery and hospitalization,and are associated with perianal fistulae closure.These drugs might be able to change the natural history of the disease mainly when introduced early in the course of the disease.Treatment strategy in inflammatory bowel diseases should thus be tailored according to the risk that each patient could develop disabling disease.

Role of Smad7 in inflammatory bowel diseases

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis,the major forms of inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD) in man,are complex diseases in which genetic and environmental factors interact to promote an excessive mucosal immune response directed against normal components of the bacterial microflora.There is also evidence that the pathologic process is due to defects in counterregulatory mechanisms,such as those involving the immunosuppressive cytokine transforming growth factor(TGF)-1.Indeed,studies in human IBD tissues and murine models of colitis have documented a disruption of TGF-1 signalling marked by a block in the phosphorylation of Smad3,a signalling molecule associated with the activated TGF-receptor,due to up-regulation of Smad7,an intracellular inhibitor of Smad3 phosphorylation.Knock-down of Smad7 with a specific antisense oligonucleotide restores TGF-1/Smad3 signalling,thus resulting in a marked suppression of inflammatory cytokine production and attenuation of murine colitis.These findings together with the demonstration that Smad7 antisense oligonucleotide is not toxic when administered in mice have paved the way for the development of a Smad7 antisense oligonucleotidebased pharmaceutical compound that is now ready to enter the clinics.In this article we review the available data supporting the pathogenic role of Smad7 in IBD and discuss whether and how Smad7 antisense therapy could help dampen the ongoing inflammation in IBD.

Risk of post-operative complications associated with anti-TNF therapy in inflammatory bowel disease

There have been increasing concerns regarding the safety of perioperative anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) α agents. We performed a literature review to evaluate the post-operative complications associated with perioperative anti-TNF use in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. A comprehensive review was performed with a literature search utilizing Pub Med, Cochrane, OVID and EMBASE databases according to published guidelines. To date, there are only data for infliximab. There are three published studies which have assessed post-operative complications with perioperative infliximab use in patients with Crohn' s disease (CD), four studies in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, and one study on both CD and UC patients. Two out of the three studies in CD patients showed no increased post-operative complications associated with perioperative infliximab. Two out of four studies in UC patients also did not show an increase in post-operative complications, and the combined study with CD and UC patients did not show an increased risk as well. Studyresults could not be combined secondary to significant differences in study designs, patient population and definition of their endpoints. There appears to be a risk of post-operative complications associated with TNF therapy in some patients. Based on these data, careful patient selection and prospective data collection should be performed.

Keratinocyte growth factor gene therapy ameliorates ulcerative colitis in rats

AIM:To investigate the effect of keratinocyte growth factor(KGF) gene therapy in acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rat model.METHODS:The colitis of Sprague-Dawley rats was induced by intrarectal infusion of 1 mL 5%(v/v) acetic acid.Twenty-four hours after exposed to acetic acid,rats were divided into three experimental groups:control group,attenuated Salmonella typhimurium Ty21a strain(SP) group and SP strain carrying human KGF gene(SPK) group,and they were separately administered orally with 10% NaHCO3,SP or SPK.Animals were sacrificed and colonic tissues were harvested respectively on day 3,5,7 and 10 after administration.Weights of rats,colonic weight/length ratio and stool score were evaluated.Histological changes of colonic tissues were examined by hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining method.The expression of KGF,KGF receptor(KGFR) and TNF-α were measured either by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or Western blotting.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the cellular localization of KGFR and Ki67.In addition,superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity and malondialdehyde(MDA) contents in the homogenate were measured.RESULTS:Body weight and colonic weight/length ratio were declined in SPK group compared with SP and control groups(body weight:272.78 ± 17.92 g vs 243.72 ± 14.02 g and 240.68 ± 12.63 g,P < 0.01;colonic weight/length ratio:115.76 ± 7.47 vs 150.32 ± 5.99 and 153.67 ± 5.50 mg/cm,P < 0.01).Moreover,pathological changes of damaged colon were improved in SPK group as well.After administration of SPK strain,KGF expression increased markedly from the 3rd d,and remained at a high level till the 10th d.Furthermore,KGFR expression and Ki67 expression elevated,whereas TNF-α expression was inhibited in SPK group.In the group administered with SPK,SOD activity increased significantly(d 5:26.18 ± 5.84 vs 18.12 ± 3.30 and 18.79 ± 4.74 U/mg,P < 0.01;d 7:35.48 ± 3.35 vs 22.57 ± 3.44 and 21.69 ± 3.94 U/mg,P < 0.01;d 10:46.10 ± 6.23 vs 25.35 ± 4.76 and 27.82 ± 6.42 U/mg,P < 0.01) and MDA contents decreased accordingly(d 7:7.40 ± 0.88 vs 9.81 ± 1.21 and 10.45 ± 1.40 nmol/mg,P < 0.01;d 10:4.36 ± 0.62 vs 8.41 ± 0.92 and 8.71 ± 1.27 nmol/mg,P < 0.01),compared with SP and control groups.CONCLUSION:KGF gene therapy mediated by attenuated Salmonella ameliorates ulcerative colitis induced by acetic acids,and it may be a safe and effective treatment for ulcerative colitis.

Moxibustion inhibits interleukin-12 and tumor necrosis factor alpha and modulates intestinal flora in rat with ulcerative colitis

AIM: To investigate the effect of moxibustion on intestinal flora and release of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) from the colon in rat with ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: A rat model of UC was established by local stimulation of the intestine with supernatant from colonic contents harvested from human UC patients. A total of 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following groups: normal (sham), model (UC), herb-partition moxibustion (HPM-treated), and positive control sulfasalazine (SA-treated). Rats treated with HPM received HPM at acupuncture points ST25 and RN6, once a day for 15 min, for a total of 8 d. Rats in the SA group were perfused with SA twice a day for 8 d. The colonic histopathology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin. The levels of intestinal flora, including Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Bacteroides fragilis (B. fragilis), were tested by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to detect bacterial 16S rRNA/DNA in order to determine DNA copy numbers of each specific species. Immunohistochemical assays were used to observe the expression of TNF-α and IL-12 in the rat colons. RESULTS: HPM treatment inhibited immunopathology in colonic tissues of UC rats; the general morphological score and the immunopathological score were significantly decreased in the HPM and SA groups compared with the model group [3.5 (2.0-4.0), 3.0 (1.5-3.5) vs 6.0 (5.5-7.0), P < 0.05 for the general morphological score, and 3.00 (2.00-3.50), 3.00 (2.50-3.50) vs 5.00 (4.50-5.50), P < 0.01 for the immunopathological score]. As measured by DNA copy number, we found that Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which are associated with a healthy colon, were significantly higher in the HPM and SA groups than in the model group (1.395 ± 1.339, 1.461 ± 1.152 vs 0.045 ± 0.036, P < 0.01 for Bifidobacterium, and 0.395 ± 0.325, 0.851 ± 0.651 vs 0.0015 ± 0.0014, P < 0.01 for Lactobacillus). On the other hand, E. coli and B. fragilis, which are associated with an inflamed colon, were significantly lower in the HPM and SA groups than in the model group (0.244 ± 0.107, 0.628 ± 0.257 vs 1.691 ± 0.683, P < 0.01 for E. coli, and 0.351 ± 0.181, 0.416 ± 0.329 vs 1.285 ± 1.039, P < 0.01 for B. fragilis). The expression of TNF-α and IL-12 was decreased after HPM and SA treatment as compared to UC model alone (4970.81 ± 959.78, 6635.45 ± 1135.16 vs 12333.81 ± 680.79, P < 0.01 for TNF-α, and 5528.75 ± 1245.72, 7477.38 ± 1259.16 vs 12550.29 ± 1973.30, P < 0.01 for IL-12). CONCLUSION: HPM treatment can regulate intestinal flora and inhibit the expression of TNF-α and IL-12 in the colon tissues of UC rats, indicating that HPM can improve colonic immune response.

-449 C>G polymorphism of NFKB1 gene,coding nuclear factor-kappa-B,is associated with the susceptibility to ulcerative colitis

AIM:To clarify the association between a polymorphism-449 C>G(rs72696119) in 5'-UTR of NFKB1 with ulcerative colitis(UC).METHODS:The studied population comprised 639 subjects,including patients with UC(UC cases,n = 174) and subjects without UC(controls,n = 465).We employed polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism to detect the gene polymorphism.RESULTS:The rs72696119 G allele frequencies in controls and UC cases were 33.4% and 38.5%,respectively(P = 0.10).Genotype frequency of the GG homozygote in UC cases was significantly higher than that in controls(P = 0.017),and the GG homozygote was significantly associated with susceptibility to UC [odds ratio(OR),1.88;95%CI,1.13-3.14].In male subjects,the GG homozygote was associated with an increased risk for UC(OR,3.10;95%CI,1.47-6.54;P = 0.0053),whereas this association was not found in female subjects.In addition,the GG homozygote was significantly associated with the risk of non-continuous disease(OR,2.06;95%CI,1.12-3.79;P = 0.029),not having total colitis(OR,2.40;95%CI,1.09-3.80,P = 0.040),disease which developed before 20 years of age(OR,2.80;95%CI,1.07-7.32,P = 0.041),no hospitalization(OR,2.28;95%CI,1.29-4.05;P = 0.0090) and with a maximum of 8 or less on the UCDAI score(OR,2.45;95%CI,1.23-4.93;P = 0.022).CONCLUSION:Our results provide evidence that NFKB1 polymorphism rs72696119 was significantly associated with the development of UC.This polymorphism influences the susceptibility to and pathophysiological features of UC.

FR167653,a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor,aggravates experimental colitis in mice

AIM: To investigate the effects of FR167653 on the development of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. METHODS: BALB/c mice were fed rodent chow containing 3.5% (wt/wt) DSS. The recipient mice underwent intra-peritoneal injection of vehicles or FR167653 (30 mg/kg per day). The mice were sacrificed on day 14, and the degree of colitis was assessed. Immunohistochemical analyses for CD4+ T cell and F4/80+ macrophage infiltration were also performed. Mucosal cytokine expression was analyzed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The body weight loss was more apparent in the FR167653-treated DSS mice than in the vehicle- treated DSS mice. The colon length was shorter in the FR167653-treated DSS mice than in the vehicle-treated DSS mice. Disease activity index and histological colitis score were significantly higher in FR167653- than in vehicle-treated DSS animals. Microscopically, mucosal edema, cellular infiltration (CD4 T cells and F4/80 macrophages), and the disruption of the epithelium were much more severe in FR167653-treated mice than in controls. Mucosal mRNA expression for interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were found to be markedly reduced in FR167653-treated DSS mice. CONCLUSION: Treatment with FR167653 aggravated DSS colitis in mice. This effect was accompanied by a reduction of mucosal IL-1β and TNF-α expression, suggesting a role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-mediated proinflammatory cytokine induction in host defense mechanisms.

Sex-dimorphic adverse drug reactions to immune suppressive agents in inflammatory bowel disease

AIM:To analyze sex differences in adverse drug reactions(ADR) to the immune suppressive medication in inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) patients.METHODS:All IBD patients attending the IBD outpatient clinic of a referral hospital were identified through the electronic diagnosis registration system.The electronic medical records of IBD patients were reviewed and the files of those patients who have used immune suppressive therapy for IBD,i.e.,thiopurines,methotrexate,cyclosporine,tacrolimus and anti-tumor necrosis factor agents(anti-TNF);infliximab(IFX),adalimumab(ADA) and/or certolizumab,were further analyzed.The reported ADR to immune suppressive drugs were noted.The general definition of ADR used in clinical practice comprised the occurrence of the ADR in the temporal relationship with its disappearance upon discontinuation of the medication.Patients for whom the required information on drug use and ADR was not available in the electronic medical record and patients with only one registered contact and no further followup at the outpatient clinic were excluded.The difference in the incidence and type of ADR between male and female IBD patients were analyzed statistically by χ 2 test.RESULTS:In total,1009 IBD patients were identified in the electronic diagnosis registration system.Out of these 1009 patients,843 patients were eligible for further analysis.There were 386 males(46%),mean age 42 years(range:16-87 years) with a mean duration of the disease of 14 years(range:0-54 years);578 patients with Crohn's disease,244 with ulcerative colitis and 21 with unclassified colitis.Seventy percent(586 pts) of patients used any kind of immune suppressive agents at a certain point of the disease course,the majority of the patients(546 pts,65%) used thiopurines,176 pts(21%) methotrexate,46 pts(5%) cyclosporine and one patient tacrolimus.One third(240 pts,28%) of patients were treated with anti-TNF,the majority of patients(227 pts,27%) used IFX,99(12%) used ADA and five patients certolizumab.There were no differences between male and female patients in the use of immune suppressive agents.With regards to ADR,no differences between males and females were observed in the incidence of ADR to thiopurines,methotrexate and cyclosporine.Among 77 pts who developed ADR to one or more anti-TNF agents,significantly more females(54 pts,39% of all anti-TNF treated women) than males(23 pts,23% of all antiTNF treated men) experienced ADR to an anti-TNF agent [P = 0.011;odds ratio(OR) 2.2,95%CI 1.2-3.8].The most frequent ADR to both anti-TNF agents,IFX and ADA,were allergic reactions(15% of all IFX users and 7% of all patients treated with ADA) and for both agents a significantly higher rate of allergic reactions in females compared with males was observed.As a result of ADR,36 patients(15% of all patients using anti-TNF) stopped the treatment,with significantly higher stopping rate among females(27 females,19% vs 9 males,9%,P = 0.024).CONCLUSION:Treatment with anti-TNF antibodies is accompanied by sexual dimorphic profile of ADR with female patients being more at risk for allergic reactions and subsequent discontinuation of the treatment.

Investigating the influence of moxibustion on colonic mucosal barrier in rats with dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis

Objective:To observe the effect of moxibustion on the colonic mucosal barrier of rats with ulcerative colitis(UC)induced by dextran sulfate sodium(DSS).Methods:Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group and a modeling group,with 20 rats in each group.Rats in the modeling group were subjected to preparing experimental UC models by drinking 4%DSS for seven consecutive days.Two modeled rats and two normal rats were randomly selected for model identification.After the success of UC model was confirmed,the remaining 18 modeled rats were randomly divided into three groups,a model group,a model+herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group,and a model+mild moxibustion group,with six rats in each group;the remaining normal rats were randomly divided into three groups,a normal group,a normal+herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group,and a normal+mild moxibustion group,with six rats in each group.After 7 d of intervention with the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion or the mild moxibustion,hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining technique was used to observe the pathological changes of colon tissue under a light microscope;Western blotting and/or immunohistochemical techniques were used to detect the protein expression levels of Occludin,Claudin,junction adhesion molecular 1(JAM1),mucin 2(MUC2),and transforming growth factor beta1(TGF-β1)in rat colon tissue.Results:Compared with the normal group,the colon tissue was severely damaged,the pathological score was significantly increased,and the protein expression levels of Occludin,Claudin,JAM1,MUC2,and TGF-β1 were significantly decreased in the model group(P<0.01);while there were no significant differences in the colonic histopathological score,protein expression levels of Occludin,Claudin,JAM1,MUC2,and TGF-β1 in the normal+herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the normal+mild moxibustion group(P>0.05).Compared with the model group,the model+herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the model+mild moxibustion group showed repaired colon tissue,ulcer healing,significantly reduced pathological score,and significantly increased protein expression levels of JAM1,MUC2,and TGF-β1(P<0.05);the Occludin protein expression level in the colon tissue of the model+mild moxibustion group was increased(P<0.01).Conclusion:Neither herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion nor mild moxibustion influences the colonic histopathology and intestinal mucosal barrier-related protein expression in the normal rats;both herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion and mild moxibustion can up-regulate the protein expression levels of JAM1,MUC2,and TGF-β1 in the colon tissue of UC rats.Mild moxibustion can up-regulate Occludin protein expression.This may be a mechanism of moxibustion in reducing colonic mucosa inflammation in UC.

Effect of Moxibustion on the Expressions of Protein KGF-1, KGF-2 and IL-6 in Colon of Rats with Ulcerative Colitis

Objective： To observe the effect of moxibustion on the expressions of protein keratinocyte growth factor-1 （KGF-1）, KGF-2, and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in colon of rats with ulcerative colitis （UC）, and to explore the action mechanism of moxibustion in treating UC. Methods： SD rats were randomized into a normal group, a model group, a herbs-partitioned moxibustion group, and a sulfasalazine （SASP） group. The rats in the herbs-partitioned group were treated with herbs-partitioned moxibustion at Tianshu （ST 25） and Qihai （CV 6）, and those in the SASP group were treated by intragastric administration. After interventions, HE staining and light microscope were adopted in observing the histopathological changes of rat＇s colon, and immunohistochemical methods for detecting the expressions of KGF-1, KGF-2, and IL-6 proteins in rat＇s colon. Results： Compared with the model group, the rats＇ colons in the herbs-partitioned moxibustion group and the SASP group were histopathologically improved; compared with the normal group, the expressions of KGF-1, KGF-2, and IL-6 proteins increased significantly in the model group （P〈0.05）; after intervened by herbs-partitioned moxibustion and SASP respectively, the expressions of KGF-1, KGF-2, and IL-6 proteins in rat＇s colon were decreased markedly （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Both herbs-partitioned moxibustion and SASP can down-regulate the expressions of KGF-1, KGF-2, and IL-6 proteins in rat＇s colon, which might be one of the mechanisms of herbs-partitioned moxibustion and SASP in treating UC.

Effects of moxibustion on the P2X7R/STAT3/VEGF pathway in rats with colitis-associated colon cancer

Objective:To observe the effects of herb-partitioned moxibustion and ginger-partitioned moxibustion on the growth of colon tumors in rats with colitis-associated colon cancer(CACC),and explore the mechanism of moxibustion intervening CACC through the purinergic receptor P2X ligand-gated ion channel 7(P2X7R)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)/vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)pathway.Methods:A total of 26 male Sprague-Dawley rats were selected.According to the random number table method,6 rats were selected as the normal group.The remaining 20 rats were injected intraperitoneally with azoxymethane(AOM)combined with oral dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)to prepare the CACC model.After the model was successfully established,2 rats were randomly selected for model identification.The remaining 18 rats which were successfully modeled were randomly divided into a model group,a herb-partitioned moxibustion group and a ginger-partitioned moxibustion group,with 6 rats in each group.Moxibustion intervention was performed in the herb-partitioned moxibustion group and the ginger-partitioned moxibustion group at Qihai(CV 6)and bilateral Tianshu(ST 25).Moxibustion was performed twice at each point each time,once a day,at a 1-day interval after 6 consecutive interventions,for a total of 30 interventions.After intervention,the colon tumor load,pathological change and histopathological score were observed.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of VEGF,P2X7R,phospho-STAT3(p-STAT3),and nuclear factor-kappa B p65(NF-κB p65)proteins in rat colon tissue.Western blot was used to detect the levels of p-STAT3 and NF-κB p65 proteins in rat colon tissue.Results:Compared with the normal group,the colon tumor load and histopathological score in the model group were significantly increased(both P<0.001),and different grades of dysplasia were observed in colon tissue from the model group,reaching the degree of adenocarcinoma;the expression level of P2X7R protein in colon tissue was significantly decreased(P<0.001),and the expression levels of p-STAT3,NF-κB p65 and VEGF proteins were significantly increased(all P<0.001)in the model group.Compared with the model group,the colon tumor load,colon histopathological score and the levels of p-STAT3,NF-κB p65 and VEGF proteins in colon tissue were significantly decreased(all P<0.05)in the herb-partitioned moxibustion group and the ginger-partitioned moxibustion group while the expression levels of P2X7R protein in colon tissue were significantly increased(both P<0.05).Conclusion:Both herb-partitioned moxibustion and ginger-partitioned moxibustion can reduce the colon tumor load in CACC rats and delay the progression of colon adenomas.The mechanism may be mediated by the P2X7R/STAT3 pathway to inhibit STAT3 phosphorylation,thereby reducing VEGF protein expression.