OBJECTIVETo observe the effects and mechanism of Qingyi II Granules (QYG) on the bacterial translocation in rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP).

METHODSEighteen Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized equally into 3 groups, the sham-operated group (A), the ANP model group (B) and the treated group (C). Rats in Group B and C were established into ANP model by retrograde injection of 30 g/L sodium taurocholate into pancreatobiliary duct. QYG was administered, beginning from 1 h after modeling, for three times (every 6 h) per day via intragastric infusion to Group C in dose of 10 mL/kg (250 g/L), while to the other two groups, equal volume of saline was infused instead. All animals were sacrificed 24 h after modeling. The contents in mesenteric lymph nodes and distant sites (liver, spleen, pancreas) were taken for bacterial culture and strain identification, the expression of high mobility group box 1 (Hmgb1) mRNA in ileal tissue was assayed by real-time PCR; the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were determined by ELISA; the wet/ dry ratio of ileum was measured; and the pathologic features of pancreas and ileum were examined respectively.

RESULTSIn Group B, evident pathological injury in pancreas and ileum was shown, expression of Hmgb1 mRNA up-regulated, levels of NO and ET-1 in ileum tissues increased to 1.67 +/- 0.21 micromol/L and 102.18 +/- 9.19 ng/L respectively, and the bacterial counts in the mesenteric lymph nodes and distant sites increased significantly. Compared with Group B, the level of NO and ET-1 reduced to 1.39 +/- 0.23 micromol/L and 83.15 +/- 5.39 ng/L, respectively in Group C, with all the above-mentioned abnormal changes alleviated significantly.

CONCLUSIONLevels of Hmgb1, NO and ET-1 might play important roles in the ANP model rats with intestinal bacterial translocation. QYG shows effects on preventing the intestinal bacterial translocation by way of down-regulate the Hmgb1 mRNA expression, lowering the concentration of NO and ET, and ameliorating the injury of pancreatic and ileum tissues.