Mechanisms of Qinghua Liangxue Huluo Decoction in preventing acute radiation enteritis in rats through the PI3K/Akt pathway
10.3760/cma.j.cn112271-20231011-00116
- VernacularTitle:清化凉血护络汤通过PI3K/Akt通路预防大鼠急性放射性肠炎的机制研究
- Author:
Lin ZHU
1
;
Ting ZHANG
;
Huafang YIN
;
Weisheng SHEN
;
Yu LI
;
Jian WANG
;
Weidong SHEN
Author Information
1. 江阴市人民医院中心实验室，江阴 214400
- Keywords:
Radiation enteritis;
Oxidative stress;
Inflammation;
PI3K/Akt signaling pathway;
Qinghua Liangxue Huiluo Decoction
- From:
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection
2024;44(7):571-577
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore the regulatory effects of Qinghua Liangxue Huluo Decoction on oxidative stress and inflammation in acute radiation enteritis in rats, as well as its impact on the PI3K/Akt pathway. Methods:A total of 36 SD rats were randomly divided into four groups using block randomization, namely the control, model, low-dose group (6.17 g/kg), and high-dose (24.68 g/kg) groups, with nine rats in each group. These rats were exposed to X-ray irradiation at a dose of 17.5 Gy to induce acute radiation enteritis, followed by continuous intragastric administration for seven days pre- and post-irradiation. Seven days post-irradiation, the perianal and fecal conditions of rats in each group were observed, and rectal tissues were collected and ground. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to assess the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) expression, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels indicative of lipid peroxidation. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was utilized to analyze the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-ɑ (TNF-ɑ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the rectal tissues of each group. Additionally, Western blot was conducted to examine the expression of proteins associated with the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in rectal tissues. The IEC-6 cells were categorized into the control, radiation, blank, and drug administration groups, with all these groups except for the control group subjected to 10 Gy single irradiation. ELISA was then employed to determine the concentrations of SOD, CAT, MDA, TNF-ɑ, IL-6, and IL-1β in cell supernatants, while Western blot was utilized to assess the expression of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway-related proteins in each group.Results:Compared to the model group, rats in the low-dose and high-dose groups exhibited a trend toward normal perianal and fecal conditions, increased SOD activity ( t = 4.86, 8.50, P < 0.05), elevated CAT expression ( t = 8.72, 14.28, P<0.05), and decreased MDA level ( t = 6.94, 10.66, P < 0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA expression of TNF-ɑ, IL-6, and IL-1β in rectal tissues was significantly inhibited in both low-dose and high-dose groups ( t = 5.60, 2.95, 4.31, 9.16, 4.66, 13.35, P < 0.05), along with lower p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt ratios in rectal tissues compared to the model group ( t = 22.35, 13.56, 18.23, 13.85, P < 0.05). Compared to the radiation group, the drug administration groups (10% drug-containing serum) exhibited increased SOD and CAT expressions ( t = 6.85, 10.44, P < 0.05), as well as decreased MDA expression ( t = 10.44, P < 0.05), in the supernatant. Furthermore, compared to the radiation group, this group displayed significantly inhibited TNF-ɑ, IL-6, and IL-1β concentrations in the cell supernatant ( t = 12.07, 6.87, 14.80, P < 0.05), while lowering p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt ratios in cells ( t = 10.95, 5.59, P < 0.05). Conclusions:Qinghua Liangxue Huluo Decoction demonstrates the potential for mitigating oxidative stress-induced injury and suppressing the expressions of inflammatory factors in rats with acute radiation enteritis. The mechanism behind the potential is likely associated with the negative regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
