Opuntia humifusa ameliorated cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis

Mesenteric Lymph Duct Ligation Alleviates Acute Lung Injury Caused by Severe Acute Pancreatitis Through Inhibition of High Mobility Group Box 1-Induced Inflammation in Rats

BACKGROUND

Acute lung injury (ALI) is the most common complication and one of the leading causes of mortality of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Nevertheless, no effective therapeutic schemes are presently available.

AIMS

To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of mesenteric lymph duct ligation (MLDL) on experimental SAP-induced ALI.

METHODS

Immediately following MLDL, rats were subjected to SAP by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct. At 24 h after modeling, tissues were collected for morphological examination. The levels of TNF-α, IL-6, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1), diamine oxidase (DAO), and D-lactic acid (D-LA) in serum, and the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in lung tissues were determined. Moreover, the expressions of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), receptor of advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE), and NF-κB p65 at the mRNA and protein levels in lung tissues, and the expressions of HMGB1, RAGE, and TNF-α at the mRNA level in intestinal lymphoid tissues were evaluated.

RESULTS

MLDL significantly attenuated the histological injury of the pancreas and lung and reduced the production of TNF-α, IL-6, and ICAM1. Besides, MLDL repressed the activity of MPO in the lung. However, the levels of serum DAO and D-LA were decreased without obvious morphological improvement in intestinal injury. Moreover, MLDL apparently reduced the up-regulation of HMGB1, RAGE, and NF-κB p65 in lung tissues, as well as the expressions of HMGB1, RAGE, and TNF-α in intestinal lymphoid tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

Mesenteric lymph was a source of harmful factors leading to SAP-ALI. MLDL could alleviate SAP-ALI probably by inhibiting HMGB1-induced production of inflammation factors.

Protective role of pirfenidone against experimentally-induced pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Pirfenidone (PFD) is an orally active antifibrotic agent that has anti-inflammatory activity in diverse animal models. Its effect against acute pancreatitis (AP) has not been elucidated. Hence, the present investigation was carried out to assess the potential protective role of PFD against l-arginine-induced AP in mice.

METHODS

AP was induced in adult male Swiss albino mice via intraperitoneal injections of l-arginine (4 g/kg, twice each 1 h apart). PFD (250 mg/kg, orally) was administered one day before and on the day of l-arginine challenge. Twenty-four hours after l-arginine injection, the severity of AP was evaluated using biochemical and histological analyses. Indices of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis were evaluated using ELISA and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

RESULTS

PFD suppressed the development of l-arginine-induced AP as revealed by the improvement of histopathological lesions of pancreatic specimen and the significant reduction of serum amylase and lipase levels. Notably, PFD reduced the lipid peroxidation and enhanced the antioxidants such as reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in pancreatic tissue. Importantly, PFD suppressed AP-associated elevation of inflammatory cytokines along with depression of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) immuno-expression in pancreatic tissue. Lastly, PFD efficiently ameliorated AP-induced elevation of the pro-apoptotic protein (Bax) and increased AP-induced reduction of the anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl2).

CONCLUSIONS

PFD protected against l-arginine-induced AP in mice through anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties.

Therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of pioglitazone in rats with severe acute pancreatitis

Caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9 (Card9) is located upstream of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inflammatory pathways. This study investigated the therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of pioglitazone in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). SAP was induced by a retrograde infusion of 5.0% sodium taurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct of Sprague Dawley rats (n=54), which were then treated with pioglitazone. Blood and pancreatic tissues were harvested at 3, 6, and 12 h after SAP induction. Pancreatic pathological damage was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Serum amylase, serum pro-inflammatory cytokines, and pancreatic myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of Card9 mRNA and protein in pancreatic tissues was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Pioglitazone had a therapeutic effect in treating rats with SAP by decreasing the level of amylase activity, ameliorating pancreatic histological damage, decreasing serum pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and tissue MPO activity, and downregulating the expression of NF-κB, p38MAPK, and Card9 mRNAs and proteins (P<0.05). The present study demonstrated that the inhibition of Card9 expression could reduce the severity of SAP. Card9 has a role in the pathogenic mechanism of SAP.

Opuntia humifusa modulates morphological changes characteristic of asthma via IL-4 and IL-13 in an asthma murine model

Asthma is a chronic pulmonary disease that affects an estimated 235 million people worldwide, but asthma drugs have many adverse effects. Opuntia humifusa (eastern prickly pear) has been used as a food and traditional medicine worldwide; however, its anti-asthmatic effects have not been reported. We evaluated O. humifusa as a potential therapeutic or preventive component of anti-asthmatic drugs. We divided ovalbumin-sensitized mice into the following groups: normal control, asthma-induced control, dexamethasone-treated group (positive control), 50 mg/kg O. humifusa-treated group, 100 mg/kg O. humifusa-treated group, and 500 mg/kg O. humifusa-treated group. Levels of Th1/Th2/Th17-related cytokines were evaluated using RT-PCR, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry. O. humifusa dose-dependently suppressed the morphological changes typically observed in asthma, such as goblet cell hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration, mucous hypersecretion, and relative basement membrane thickening in the respiratory system. These results may be attributable to regulation of Th1-/Th2-/Th17-related factors, especially interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13. We conclude that O. humifusa is a potential anti-asthmatic functional food.

Abbreviations: O. humifusa: Opuntia humifusa; Th: helper T; RT-PCR: real-time polymerase chain reaction; ELISA: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; IL: interleukin; WHO: World Health Organization; IFN-γ: interferon gamma; TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor-alpha; IgE: immunoglobulin E; CD: cluster of differentiation; OVA: ovalbumin; DEX: dexamethasone; BALF: bronchoalveolar fluid; H&E: hematoxylin and eosin; PAS: periodic acid-schiff; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; BM: basement membrane; cDNA: complementary deoxyribonucleic acid; RNA: ribo nucleic acid; RIPA: radioimmunoprecipitation assay; IHC: immunohistochemistry; HPLC: high-performance liquid chromatography; SD: standard deviation; WBC: white blood cells; APCs: antigen-presenting cells

Methane-rich saline alleviates cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis by inhibiting inflammatory response, oxidative stress and pancreatic apoptosis in mice

BACKGROUND

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a potentially life-threatening gastrointestinal disease involving intracellular activation of digestive enzymes and pancreatic acinar cell injury. The present study was performed to investigate whether methane-rich saline (MS) was involved in the regulation of AP.

METHODS

MS (16ml/kg) was administered at different dosing frequencies on mice with cerulein-induced AP. Serum amylase, lipase and histopathological changes in the pancreas tissue were measured. Serum cytokine TNFα, IL-6, IFNγ and IL-10 were detected by ELISA. The mRNA levels of these inflammatory cytokines in the pancreas were detected by real time-PCR. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined using commercial kits. Apoptosis was assessed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

RESULTS

MS treatment reversed the increased serum level of amylase and lipase, alleviated the pathological damage in the pancreas, and decreased the expression of TNFα, IL-6, IFNγ and IL-10 in cerulean-induced AP mice. In addition, MPO was down-regulated and SOD was up-regulated in the MS treated pancreas, indicating that MS had an anti-oxidant effect against AP. Furthermore, MS protected pancreatic cells against cerulean-induced apoptosis and abolished cleaved caspase-3.

CONCLUSION

MS exerted anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic effects on cerulein-induced AP in mice and may proved to be a promising therapeutic agent for the clinical treatment of pancreatitis.

Berberine inhibits inflammatory mediators and attenuates acute pancreatitis through deactivation of JNK signaling pathways

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a life-threatening disease. Berberine (BBR), a well-known plant alkaloid, is reported to have anti-inflammatory activity in many diseases. However, the effects of BBR on AP have not been clearly elucidated. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of BBR on cerulein-induced AP in mice. AP was induced by either cerulein or l-arginine. In the BBR treated group, BBR was administered intraperitoneally 1h before the first cerulein or l-arginine injection. Blood samples were obtained to determine serum amylase and lipase activities and nitric oxide production. The pancreas and lung were rapidly removed for examination of histologic changes, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, the regulating mechanisms of BBR were evaluated. Treatment of mice with BBR reduced pancreatic injury and activities of amylase, lipase, and pancreatitis-associated lung injury, as well as inhibited several inflammatory parameters such as the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inducible nitric oxide synthesis (iNOS). Furthermore, BBR administration significantly inhibited c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation in the cerulein-induced AP. Deactivation of JNK resulted in amelioration of pancreatitis and the inhibition of inflammatory mediators. These results suggest that BBR exerts anti-inflammatory effects on AP via JNK deactivation on mild and severe acute pancreatitis model, and could be a beneficial target in the management of AP.

Loganin protects against pancreatitis by inhibiting NF-κB activation

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas, which, in its most severe form, is associated with multi-organ failure and death. Loganin, a major iridoid glycoside obtained from Corni fructus, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-shock effects. However, the effects of loganin on AP have not been determined. Pre-treatment of loganin reduced pancreatic damage and AP-associated lung injury and attenuated the severity of AP, as evidenced by (1) a reduction in several biochemical parameters (pancreatic weight to body weight ratio, myeloperoxidase activity, and level of amylase) and (2) production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. However, post-treatment of loganin failed to improve pancreatic damage and biochemical parameters of AP, but could inhibit the AP-induced elevation of IL-1β and TNF-α significantly. In addition, cerulein-induced activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB was inhibited in the pancreas by administration of loganin. In conclusion, these results suggest that loganin exhibits an anti-inflammatory effect in cases of AP and its pulmonary complications through inhibition of NF-κB activation.

Guggulsterone attenuates cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis via inhibition of ERK and JNK activation

Guggulsterone (GS), a plant steroid and a compound found at high levels in Commiphora myrrha, exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and cholesterol-lowering effects. However, the potential of GS to ameliorate acute pancreatitis (AP) is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of GS on cerulein-induced AP. AP was induced by intraperitoneally injecting supramaximal concentrations of the stable cholecystokinin analog cerulein (50 μg/kg) hourly for 6 h. In the GS-treated group, GS was administered intraperitoneally (10, 25, or 50mg/kg) 1 h before the first cerulein injection. Mice were sacrificed 6 h after the final cerulein injection. Blood samples were collected to measure serum lipase levels and evaluate cytokine production. The pancreas and lung were rapidly removed for morphologic and histological examinations, flow cytometry analysis, myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay, and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Pre-treatment with GS attenuated cerulein-induced histological damage, reduced pancreas weight/body weight ratio, decreased serum lipase levels, inhibited infiltrations of macrophages and neutrophils, and suppressed cytokine production. Additionally, GS treatment suppressed the activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the pancreas in cerulein-induced pancreatitis. In conclusion, our results suggest that GS attenuates AP via deactivation of ERK and JNK.