Effects of Baicalin and Octreotide on the serum TNF-alpha level and apoptosis in multiple organs of rats with severe acute pancreatitis

Dysregulated B7H4/JAK2/STAT3 Pathway Involves in Hypertriglyceridemia Acute Pancreatitis and Is Attenuated by Baicalin

BACKGROUND

Patients with hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) are prone to develop more severe acute pancreatitis (AP). However, the specific molecular mechanism still has not been elaborated clearly, and effective drugs for treating HTG-AP are not yet readily available. Baicalin is an ingredient isolated from a natural product that with potential to attenuate inflammation and pain in AP.

AIMS

The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of baicalin on HTG-AP and the possible mechanism involved.

METHODS

A mouse model of HTG-AP was successfully established by administering Poloxamer 407 and L-arginine intraperitoneally. We analyzed pathological changes, and performed TUNEL staining, DHE staining, and western blot to detect apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and B7H4/JAK2/STAT3 signaling in the pancreas.

RESULTS

Treatment with baicalin decreased serum triglyceride, cholesterol, lipase, amylase levels, and attenuated pancreatic edema. After intervention with baicalin, apoptosis and inflammation in HTG-AP mice were alleviated, as indicated by the decrease of Bax, cleaved-caspase-3, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β. Baicalin also alleviated oxidative stress by decreasing NOX2, increasing SOD2 protein expression, and regulating Nrf2/Keap1 signaling in HTG-AP mice. Furthermore, baicalin decreased the upregulated B7H4/JAK2/STAT3 pathway in HTG-AP.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, our data suggested that baicalin could attenuate HTG-AP, possibly through regulating B7H4/JAK2/STAT3 signaling.

Current trends in pharmacological approaches for treatment and management of acute pancreatitis – a review

Objectives

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inimical disorder associated with overall mortality rates between 10-15%. It is a disorder of the exocrine pancreas which is characterized by local and systemic inflammatory responses primarily driven by oxidative stress and death of pancreatic acinar cells. The severity of AP ranges from mild pancreatic edema with complete recuperative possibilities to serious systemic inflammatory response resulting in peripancreatic/pancreatic necrosis, multiple organ failure, and death.

Key findings

We have retrieved the potential alternative approaches that are developed lately for efficacious treatment of AP from the currently available literature and recently reported experimental studies. This review summarizes the need for alternative approaches and combinatorial treatment strategies to deal with AP based on literature search using specific key words in PubMed and ScienceDirect databases.

Summary

Since AP results from perturbations of multiple signaling pathways, the so called “monotargeted smart drugs” of the past decade is highly unlikely to be effective. Also, the conventional treatment approaches were mainly involved in providing palliative care instead of curing the disease. Hence, many researchers are beginning to focus on developing alternate therapies to treat AP effectively. This review also summarizes the recent trends in the combinatorial approaches available for AP treatment.

Phytoceuticals in Acute Pancreatitis: Targeting the Balance between Apoptosis and Necrosis

Despite recent advances in understanding the complex pathogenesis of pancreatitis, the management of the disease remains suboptimal. The use of phytoceuticals (plant-derived pleiotropic multitarget molecules) represents a new research trend in pancreatology. The purpose of this review is to discuss the phytoceuticals with pancreatoprotective potential in acute pancreatitis and whose efficacy is based, at least in part, on their capacity to modulate the acinar cell death. The phytochemicals selected, belonging to such diverse classes as polyphenols, flavonoids, lignans, anthraquinones, sesquiterpene lactones, nitriles, and alkaloids, target the balance between apoptosis and necrosis. Activation of apoptosis via various mechanisms (e.g., inhibition of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis proteins by embelin, upregulation of FasL gene expression by resveratrol) and/or inhibition of necrosis seem to represent the essential key for decreasing the severity of the disease. Apart from targeting the apoptosis/necrosis balance, the phytochemicals displayed other specific protective activities: inhibition of inflammasome (e.g., rutin), suppression of neutrophil infiltration (e.g., ligustrazine, resveratrol), and antioxidant activity. Even though many of the selected phytoceuticals represent a promising therapeutic alternative, there is a shortage of human evidence, and further studies are required to provide solid basis to justify their use in the treatment of pancreatitis.

Dietary quercetin ameliorates experimental colitis in mouse by remodeling the function of colonic macrophages via a heme oxygenase-1-dependent pathway

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) results from a chronic intestinal inflammation and tissue destruction via an aberrant immune-driven inflammatory response towards an altered gut microbiota. Dietary intervention is becoming an attractive avenue for the therapy of colitis because diet is a key determinant of the mucosal immune response. Quercetin (QCN) is the most common in nature and the major representative of dietary antioxidant flavonoids, which has been demonstrated to influence the progression of colitis. However, the underlying mechanism of QCN on intestinal immunomodulation remains unclear. Here, our study demonstrated dietary QCN could ameliorate experimental colitis in part by modulating the anti-inflammatory effects and bactericidal capacity of macrophages via Heme oxygenase-1 (Hmox1, HO-1) dependent pathway. It suggested that QCN might restore the proper intestinal host-microbe relationship to ameliorate the colitis via rebalancing the pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory and bactericidal function of enteric macrophages. Hence, modulating the function of intestinal macrophages with dietary administration of QCN to restore the immunological hemostasis and rebalance the enteric commensal flora is a potential and promising strategy for IBD therapy.

Chinese Herbal Medicines Attenuate Acute Pancreatitis: Pharmacological Activities and Mechanisms

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a commonly occurring gastrointestinal disorder. An increase in the annual incidence of AP has been observed, and it causes acute hospitalization and high mortality. The diagnosis and treatment guidelines for AP recommend conservative medical treatments focused on reducing pancreatic secretion and secondary injury, as a primary therapeutic approach. Unfortunately, the existing treatment options have limited impact on the incidence and severity of AP due to the complex and multifaceted pathological process of this disease. In recent decades, Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) have been used as efficient therapeutic agents to attenuate AP in Asian countries. Despite early cell culture, animal models, and clinical trials, CHMs are capable of interacting with numerous molecular targets participating in the pathogenesis of AP; however, comprehensive, up-to-date communication in this field is not yet available. This review focuses on the pharmacological activities of CHMs against AP in vitro and in vivo and the underlying mechanisms. A computational prediction of few selected and promising plant-derived molecules (emodin, baicalin, resveratrol, curcumin, ligustrazine, and honokiol) to target numerous proteins or networks involved in AP was initially established based on a network pharmacology simulation. Moreover, we also summarized some potential toxic natural products for pancreas in order to more safe and reasonable medication. These breakthrough findings may have important implications for innovative drug research and the future development of treatments for AP.

Octreotide Attenuates Acute Kidney Injury after Hepatic Ischemia and Reperfusion by Enhancing Autophagy

Octreotide exerts a protective effect in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (HIR) injury. However, whether octreotide preconditioning could also reduce acute kidney injury (AKI) after HIR is unknown. This study was designed to investigate the role of octreotide in AKI after HIR. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with octreotide or octreotide combined with 3-methyladenine (autophagy inhibitor, 3MA). Plasma creatinine, inflammation markers (e.g., TNF-α and IL-6 etc.), apoptosis, autophagy and phosphorylation of protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin/p70 ribosomal S6 kinase (Akt/mTOR/p70S6K) in the kidney were measured after 60 minutes of liver ischemia and 24 hours of reperfusion for each rat. Octreotide pretreatment significantly preserved renal function and reduced the severity of renal injury. Moreover, octreotide alleviated inflammation and apoptosis in the kidney after HIR. Additionally, octreotide induced autophagy and autophagy inhibition with 3MA markedly reversed the renoprotective, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of octreotide after HIR. Finally, octreotide abrogated the activation of phosphorylation of Akt, mTOR and p70S6K in the kidney after HIR. Our results indicate that octreotide reduced renal injury after HIR due to its induction of autophagy. The enhancement of autophagy may be potentially linked to the octreotide mediated Akt/mTOR/p70S6K pathway deactivation and reduction of kidney inflammation and apoptosis after HIR.

Analysis of influence of baicalin joint resveratrol retention enema on the TNF-α, SIgA, IL-2, IFN-γ of rats with respiratory syncytial virus infection

Explore the influence of baicalin joint resveratrol retention enema on TNF-α, SIgA, IL-2, and IFN-γ of rats with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. The 60 SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, baicalin group, resveratrol group, joint group, and ribavirin group. For model group, baicalin group, resveratrol group, joint group, and ribavirin group, rats were given RSV virus suspension intranasally for 3 days, and model group was not given administration. Baicalin group, resveratrol group, joint group, and ribavirin group were, respectively, given baicalin 100 mg/kg/day, resveratrol 30 mg/kg/day, baicalin joint resveratrol, and ribavirin 1 g/kg/day retention enema. After continuously given administration 7 days, rats were measured in serum TNF-α, IL-2, IFN-γ levels and SIgA levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Model group, TNF-α, IL-2, IFN-γ, and SIgA were significantly higher than the normal group (P < 0.05); Baicalin group, resveratrol group, ribavirin group, TNF-α, IL-2, IFN-γ, and SIgA were significantly higher than the model group (P < 0.05); TNF-α, IL-2 between baicalin group, resveratrol group, ribavirin group, have no significant difference (P > 0.05); Baicalin group, resveratrol group, joint group, IFN-γ, and SIgA were significantly higher than the ribavirin group (P < 0.05); Joint group TNF-α, IL-2, IFN-γ, and SIgA were significantly higher than baicalin group, resveratrol group, and ribavirin group (P < 0.05). Baicalin joint resveratrol retention enema can increase RSV infection model in rats serum TNF-α, IL-2, IFN-γ levels and SIgA levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, which may anti-virus through this mechanism.

Somatostatin Derivate (smsDX) Attenuates the TAM-Stimulated Proliferation, Migration and Invasion of Prostate Cancer via NF-κB Regulation

Tumor development and progression are influenced by macrophages of the surrounding microenvironment. To investigate the influences of an inflammatory tumor microenvironment on the growth and metastasis of prostate cancer, the present study used a co-culture model of prostate cancer (PCa) cells with tumor-associated macrophage (TAM)-conditioned medium (MCM). MCM promoted PCa cell (LNCaP, DU145 and PC-3) growth, and a xenograft model in nude mice consistently demonstrated that MCM could promote tumor growth. MCM also stimulated migration and invasion in vitro. Somatostatin derivate (smsDX) significantly attenuated the TAM-stimulated proliferation, migration and invasion of prostate cancer. Immunohistochemistry revealed that NF-κB was over-expressed in PCa and BPH with chronic inflammatory tissue specimens and was positively correlated with macrophage infiltration. Further investigation into the underlying mechanism revealed that NF-κB played an important role in macrophage infiltration. SmsDX inhibited the paracrine loop between TAM and PCa cells and may represent a potential therapeutic agent for PCa.

Study on acute recent stage pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas which involves the pancreas and surrounding tissue, and systemic inflammation with a characteristic systemic increase of vascular permeability and increased risk of multiple organ dysfunction. Currently, the pathogenesis of AP is fuzzy, and the diagnosis and treatment need to be standardized. Nevertheless, increased knowledge of AP may achieve more thorough understanding of the pathogenesis. The use of further advanced diagnostic tools and superior treatment, potentially will help clinicians to manage AP at an appropriate stage. However, in view of the multi factorial disease and the complex clinical manifestations, the management of patients with AP is also remaining areas for improvement.

High-dose versus low-dose octreotide in the treatment of acute pancreatitis: a randomized controlled trial

To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of high-dose octreotide in patients with predicted severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) or SAP, two hundred and thirty-six patients with predicted SAP and 136 patients with SAP were randomized into control, high-dose octreotide (High-O) and low-dose octreotide (Low-O) groups. In addition to the conventional managements administrated in control group, High-O group received an intravenous infusion of octreotide at 50 μg/h × 3d + 25 μg/h × 4d, and Low-O group received octreotide at 25 μg/h × 7d. The major primary outcomes included the numbers of predicted SAP patients which developed SAP after intervention and the number of patients with SAP amelioration. Secondary outcomes included APACHE II, SIRS scores, plasma levels of somatostatin (SST), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). There were no significant differences between the control and Low-O groups in terms of prevention and treatment for SAP. The incidence of SAP in patients with predicted SAP who received High-O was significantly lower than the Low-O group: 37.5% vs. 59.8%, p=0.005. Compared with Low-O group, the number of SAP patients in the SAP arm in the High-O group was reduced by 29.8%. Plasma levels of SST in both predicted SAP and the SAP patients were efficiently recovered (from 132.71±31.40 pg/ml to 180.00±23.50 pg/ml, p<0.05) after high-dose octreotide supplementation, which concomitantly reduced TNF-α and IL-6 levels. High-dose octreotide administration within 48h after AP onset may efficiently reduce the risk of SAP developing and partly attenuate SAP through raising plasma SST to a normal level and decreasing IL-6 and TNF-α.

Alleviation of gut inflammation by Cdx2/Pxr pathway in a mouse model of chemical colitis

Pregnane X Receptor (PXR), a master regulator of drug metabolism and inflammation, is abundantly expressed in the gastrointestinal tract. Baicalein and its O-glucuronide baicalin are potent anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer herbal flavonoids that undergo a complex cycle of interconversion in the liver and gut. We sought to investigate the role these flavonoids play in inhibiting gut inflammation by an axis involving PXR and other potential factors. The consequences of PXR regulation and activation by the herbal flavonoids, baicalein and baicalin were evaluated in vitro in human colon carcinoma cells and in vivo using wild-type, Pxr-null, and humanized (hPXR) PXR mice. Baicalein, but not its glucuronidated metabolite baicalin, activates PXR in a Cdx2-dependent manner in vitro, in human colon carcinoma LS174T cells, and in the murine colon in vivo. While both flavonoids abrogate dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-mediated colon inflammation in vivo, oral delivery of a potent bacterial β-glucuronidase inhibitor eliminates baicalin’s effect on gastrointestinal inflammation by preventing the microbial conversion of baicalin to baicalien. Finally, reduction of gastrointestinal inflammation requires the binding of Cdx2 to a specific proximal site on the PXR promoter. Pharmacological targeting of intestinal PXR using natural metabolically labile ligands could serve as effective and potent therapeutics for gut inflammation that avert systemic drug interactions.

Continuous regional arterial infusion with fluorouracil and octreotide attenuates severe acute pancreatitis in a canine model

Aim

To investigate the therapeutic effects of fluorouracil (5-Fu) and octreotide (Oct) continuous regional arterial infusion (CRAI,) alone or in combination, was administered in a canine model of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Materials and Methods

The animals were divided into five groups; group A (Sham), group B (SAP), group C (SAP and 5-Fu), group D (SAP and Oct), and group E (SAP and 5-Fu + Oct). Levels of amylase, α-tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, thromboxane B2 and 6-keto- prostaglandin F1α were measured both before and after the induction of SAP. Pathologic examination of the pancreas and kidneys was performed after termination of the study.

Results

Pathologic changes noted in the pancreas in SAP significantly improved following CRAI with either single or combined administration of 5-Fu and Oct, where combination therapy demonstrated the lowest injury score. All treatment groups had significantly lower levels of serum TNF-α and amylase activity (P<0.05), though only groups D and E had a lower BUN level as compared to group B. The plasma thromboxane B₂ level increased in SAP, but the ratio of thromboxane B₂/6-keto- prostaglandin F_1α decreased in the treatment groups, with the combination therapy (group E) demonstrating the lowest ratio as compared to the other 3 experimental groups (P<0.05).

Conclusions

The findings in the present study demonstrate an attenuation of SAP in a canine model following CRAI administration with 5-Fu or Oct, alone or in combination.

Baicalin inhibits TLR2/4 signaling pathway in rat brain following permanent cerebral ischemia

Recent work from our laboratory demonstrated that baicalin attenuates inflammatory reaction and cerebral ischemia injury in rats. Toll-like receptor 2 and 4 (TLR2/4) and the downstream nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway, which mediate the inflammatory reaction, are involved in the pathophysiological processes of cerebral ischemia. In this study, we investigated whether baicalin inhibits TLR2/4 signaling pathway in a rat model of permanent focal cerebral ischemia. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats underwent permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Baicalin was administered by intraperitoneally injected twice at 2 and 12 h after the onset of ischemia. Cerebral infarct area and infarct volume were measured 24 h after MCAO. Expression of TLR2/4, NF-κB, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were determined by RT-PCR or western blot. NO and PGE2 production in rat brain were measured 24 h after MCAO. Serum content of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were detected by ELISA. Baicalin reduced cerebral infarct area and infarct volume. Baicalin reduced the expression of TLR2/4 and NF-κB, decreased the expression and activity of iNOS and COX-2 in rat brain. Baicalin also attenuated the serum content of TNF-α and IL-1β. Our results suggest that baicalin inhibits the TLR2/4 signaling pathway in cerebral ischemia, which may be a mechanism underlying the baicalin's neuroprotection.

Baicalin suppresses expression of TLR2/4 and NF-κB in chlamydia trachomatis-infected mice

Our previous studies have shown that the baicalin could blocked infection of chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis)-infected cells in vitro. Toll-like receptor 2 and 4 (TLR2/4) and the downstream nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, which mediate the inflammatory reaction, are involved in the pathophysiological processes of inflammation. In this study, we investigated whether baicalin inhibits TLR2/4 signaling pathway in gential tract chlamydia-infected mice. The progesterone-treated animals were given intravaginally 200 mg/kg baicalin administered. Nineteen days after infection, cervical tissue were taken and expression of TLR2/4, NF-κB were determined by RT-PCR or westernblot. Nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 production in cervical tissue were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. It was demonstrated that baicalin significantly reduced C. trachomatis loading in BALB/c mice that were vaginally infected with the pathogen. Meanwhile, baicalin also reduced the expression of TLR2/4 and NF-κB, decreased activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxgenase-2 in cervical tissue. Our results suggest that baicalin inhibits the TLR2/4 signaling pathway in cervical tissue of gential tract chlamydia-infected mice. On the basis of these data and our previous observations, we conclude that further evaluation of baicalin for prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted chlamydial infection is warranted.

Baicalin induced dendritic cell apoptosis in vitro

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of baicalin (BA), a major flavonoid constituent found in the herb Baikal skullcap, on dendritic cells (DCs). DCs were generated by culturing murine bone marrow (BM) cells for 6 days with granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin (IL)-4, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was added on day 5 to stimulate DCs maturation. The expression levels of DC maturity markers (CD80/CD86) were assessed by flow cytometry using direct immunofluorescence method. IL-12 levels in the culture supernatants were assayed by ELISA. Apoptosis of DCs was analyzed by flow cytometry after annexin V/propidium iodide staining. The mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ_m) changes were measured by using the J-aggregate forming lipophilic cation 5,5′,6,6′-tetrachloro-1,1′,3,3′-tetraethylbenzimidazolcarbocyanine iodide (JC-1). Exposure of DCs to BA (2–50 μM) during BM cell differentiation showed no effects on the up-regulation of CD80/CD86 expression on DCs in response to LPS stimulation, but reduced DCs recovery by inducing apoptosis, and significantly inhibited the release of IL-12 to culture supernatants. BA-induced DC apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent way, and immature DCs were more sensitive for BA-induced apoptosis than mature DC. BA also induced Δψ_m changes in DCs. These results demonstrate that BA induces selective apoptosis in immature DCs possibly through mitochondria-mediated pathway.

Baicalin attenuates focal cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury through inhibition of nuclear factor κB p65 activation

Baicalin is a flavonoid compound purified from plant Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. We aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of baicalin against cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury. Male Wistar rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h followed by reperfusion for 24 h. Baicalin at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg was intravenously injected after ischemia onset. Twenty-four hours after reperfusion, the neurological deficit was scored and infarct volume was measured. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed to analyze the histopathological changes of cortex and hippocampus neurons. We examined the levels of NF-κB p65 in ischemic cortexes by Western blot analysis and RT-PCR assay. The results showed that the neurological deficit scores were significantly decreased from 2.0 ± 0.7 to 1.2 ± 0.4 and the volume of infarction was reduced by 25% after baicalin injection. Histopathological examination showed that the increase of neurons with pycnotic shape and condensed nuclear in cortex and hippocampus were not observed in baicalin treated animals. Further examination showed that NF-κB p65 in cortex was increased after ischemia reperfusion injury, indicating the molecular mechanism of ischemia reperfusion injury. The level of NF-κB p65 was decreased by 73% after baicalin treatment. These results suggest that baicalin might be useful as a potential neuroprotective agent in stroke therapy. The neuroprotective effects of baicalin may relate to inhibition of NF-κB p65.

Baicalin protects thymus of rats with severe acute pancreatitis

To study the protective role of Baicalin on rats thymus with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). The SAP rats were randomly assigned to the model control, Baicalin treated and Octreotide treated groups. Normal rats were assigned to the sham-operated group. The rat survival rates, pathological changes of thymus, apoptotic indexes and expression levels of NF-kappaB, Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and P-selectin of all groups were observed and recorded at 3, 6 and 12 h after operation, respectively. Rat survival rates were significantly higher in both Baicalin- and Octreotide-treated groups than those in the model control group at 12 h (P < 0.05). The thymus pathological score was significantly lower in Baicalin treated group than in control group at 3 and 12 h (P < 0.05). The expression of NF-kappaB, Bax and Bcl-2 in thymus tissue was negative in all groups. At 3 h after operation, the staining intensity, positive staining rate and intensity of Caspase-3 protein in the thymuses of the Baicalin treated group were significantly higher than those in the model control group (P < 0.01). At different time points after operation, no marked difference was observed in the staining intensity of P-selectin protein between the Baicalin treated group and the model control group (P > 0.05). At 6 h after operation, the positive staining rate and intensity of P-selectin protein in the Baicalin treated group was significantly lower than those in the model control group (P < 0.05). The apoptotic indexes were significantly higher in treated group than in model control group at 6 h (P < 0.05). Baicalin has a protective role on the thymus of SAP rats, and its effect of decreasing inflammatory mediators level in blood, inhibiting P-selectin expression and inducing apoptosis of thymocytes may involve in the mechanism of its protective role.

Influence of baicalin on TNF-alpha mRNA, caspase-3 and P-selectin expression in pancreatic tissue of rats with severe acute pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE

Baicalin reduces the severity of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in a rat model. This study was carried out to examine the effect of baicalin on TNF-alpha mRNA, caspase-3 and P-selectin protein expression in the pancreas of rats with SAP.

METHODS

Rats with SAP were randomly assigned to untreated, baicalin-treated, octreotide-treated and sham-operated group. The TNF-alpha mRNA expression level, caspase-3 and P-selectin protein expression levels of pancreatic tissue were measured 3, 6 and 12 hours after operation.

RESULTS

The caspase-3 protein expression level was significantly higher in the treated groups than that in the untreated group at 3 hours (p <0.01). P-selectin protein expression level in pancreas of the treated groups was significantly lower than that of the untreated group (p <0.05 or <0.01). TNF-alpha mRNA expression level in pancreas decreased in baicalintreated group while untreated group increased at different time points (p <0.05).

CONCLUSION

Baicalin increases caspase-3 expression and inhibits TNF-alpha mRNA and P-selectin protein expression in pancreatic tissue of SAP rats.

Baicalin attenuates oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced injury by inhibiting oxidative stress-mediated 5-lipoxygenase activation in PC12 cells

AIM

To determine whether the flavonoid baicalin attenuates oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced injury by inhibiting oxidative stress-mediated 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) activation in PC12 cells.

METHODS

The effects of baicalin and the 5-LOX inhibitor zileuton on the changes induced by OGD/recovery or H(2)O(2) (an exogenous reactive oxygen species [ROS]) in green fluorescent protein-5-LOX-transfected PC12 cells were compared.

RESULTS

Both baicalin and zileuton attenuated OGD/recovery- and H(2)O(2)-induced injury and inhibited OGD/recovery-induced production of 5-LOX metabolites (cysteinyl leukotrienes) in a concentration-dependent manner. However, baicalin did not reduce baseline cysteinyl leukotriene levels. Baicalin also reduced OGD/recovery-induced ROS production and inhibited 5-LOX translocation to the nuclear envelope and p38 phosphorylation induced by OGD/recovery and H(2)O(2). In contrast, zileuton did not show these effects.

CONCLUSION

Baicalin can inhibit 5-LOX activation after ischemic injury, which may partly result from inhibition of the ROS/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

Effect of baicalin and octreotide on the expression levels of P-selectin protein in multiple organs of rats with severe acute pancreatitis

AIM

To investigate the effect of baicalin and octreotide on the expression levels of P-selectin protein in multiple organs of rats with severe acute pancreatitis and explore the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

Rats were randomly divided into sham-operated, model control, baicalin-treated and octreotide-treated groups. At 3, 6 and 12 h after operation, the mortality rates of rats, the contents of plasma endotoxin as well as serum NO and ET-1, the pathological changes in multiple organs, and the expression levels of P-selectin protein in each group were observed.

RESULTS

At 12 h after operation, the mortality rates of rats in treated groups were significantly lower than that in the model control group (P < 0.05), and the pathological severity scores in multiple organs in treated groups were also significantly lower than those in the model control group (P < 0.05). The contents of plasma endotoxin, serum PLA(2) (at 6 and 12 h after operation), ET-1 and NO (at 3 and 12 h after operation) in treated groups were significantly lower than those in the model control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 or P < 0.001). In the baicalin-treated group, the expression levels of P-selectin protein in liver (at 3 h after operation), kidney (at 3 and 6 h after operation), pancreas, lung and spleen were significantly lower than those in the model control group (P < 0.01). In the octreotide-treated group, the expression levels of this protein in lung, intestinal mucosa (at 6 and 12 h after operation), lymph nodes (at 3 and 6 h after operation), spleen and thymus were significantly lower than those in the model control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the products of the staining intensity and positive rate of P-selectin protein in pancreas, spleen (at 3 h after operation), intestinal mucosa (at 6 h after operation), thymus (at 6 h after operation) and lung (at 6 h after operation) in treated groups were significantly lower than those in the model control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Both baicalin and octreotide can exert some protective effects on multiple organs and the former is superior to the latter in protecting pancreas. Furthermore, decreasing the expression levels of P-selectin protein in these organs is one of the possible mechanisms.