Effects of Scutellaria baicalensis on intestinal flora and barrier function of sepsis rats with "second strike" of endotoxin
10.3760/cma.j.issn.1671-0282.2025.04.018
- VernacularTitle:黄芩对内毒素"二次打击"脓毒症大鼠肠道菌群及屏障功能的影响
- Author:
Yuwen SUN
1
;
Xiping WU
;
Yun DONG
;
Hairong WU
Author Information
1. 南京中医药大学附属无锡医院急诊科，无锡 214071
- Keywords:
Scutellaria baicalensis;
Sepsis;
Fibronectin;
D-lactic acid;
Nuclear factor-κb;
Intestinal flora
- From:
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine
2025;34(4):576-581
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:This study aimed to explore the impact of a single Scutellaria baicalensis decoction on the intestinal flora and barrier function in sepsis rats subjected to an endotoxin "second strike."Methods:Twenty-eight healthy adult male SPF-grade SD rats were utilized to develop an acute lung injury model of sepsis induced by an endotoxin "second strike." The rats were randomLy allocated into four groups: sham operation, model, normal dose Scutellaria baicalensis, and high dose Scutellaria baicalensis, with seven rats in each group. Six hours prior to model induction, the normal dose group received 2 mL of Scutellaria baicalensis decoction at 1 g/kg, while the high dose group received 4 g/kg. Both the sham operation and model groups were administered an equivalent volume of normal saline once daily for three consecutive days. Post-experiment, intestinal tissue, blood, and stool samples were collected. HE staining was used to observe intestinal histopathological changes, ELISA to detect serum D-lactic acid and Fn levels, Western blot to measure intestinal tissue NF-κB, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to analyze intestinal flora. Correlations between intestinal flora and D-lactic acid, Fn, and NF-κB were examined.Results:Compared to the sham operation group, the model group exhibited inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue structure damage in the intestinal tissue, significantly increased NF-κB expression, markedly decreased serum Fn, and elevated D-lactic acid levels. The abundance of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus in the intestine significantly decreased, while Bacteroidota increased ( P<0.05). In contrast, the normal and high dose groups showed significantly reduced serum Fn and D-lactic acid levels, decreased intestinal NF-κB expression, and increased Firmicutes and Lactobacillus abundance ( P<0.05). Bacteroidota levels decreased, and intestinal tissue inflammatory pathology was notably alleviated. No significant differences were observed in Fn, D-lactic acid, and NF-κB expressions between the normal and high dose groups, nor in the abundance of Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Lactobacillus. Firmicutes abundance and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio positively correlated with Fn ( P<0.01) but negatively with D-lactic acid and NF-κB ( P<0.01). Bacteroidota abundance negatively correlated with Fn ( P<0.01) and positively with D-lactic acid and NF-κB ( P<0.01). Conclusions:Alterations in intestinal flora and mucosal barrier damage are implicated in the lung injury of sepsis rats induced by an endotoxin "second strike." Scutellaria baicalensis decoction exerts a protective effect on intestinal function in these rats, potentially by optimizing the abundance of beneficial intestinal flora, preserving the intestinal mucosal barrier, mitigating inflammatory responses, and safeguarding endothelial cell function.
