Effect of Yinchenhao decoction on expression of IRE1α protein in liver cells of rats with obstructive jaundice

AIM: To investigate the effect of medicated serum of Yinchenhao decoction on inositol-requiring enzyme-1-α (IRE1α) protein expression in hepatocytes of rats with obstructive jaundice.

METHODS: Common bile duct ligation was used to generate an SD rat model of obstructive jaundice. Primary hepatocytes were isolated from the rat models. Gavage administration with Yinchenhao decoction was applied to prepare serum containing the corresponding drug. Yinchenhao decoction serum was added into the medium for primary hepatocyte culture in the administrated group (Group B), while the medium containing no drug was used in the sham group (Group A). The expression of IRE1αprotein in cells as well as alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) in culture fluid was detected.

RESULTS: The levels of IRE1α expression, AST and ALT in group B were significantly lower than those in group A at all time points (expression of IRE1α: 6 h 1.85 ± 0.04 vs 1.58 ± 0.04, 24 h 1.95 ± 0.02 vs 1.60 ± 0.03, 48 h 2.22 ± 0.13 vs 1.99 ± 0.10, P < 0.05; AST: 6 h 17.23 U/L ± 3.01 U/L vs 13.13 U/L ± 2.41 U/L, 24 h 19.33 U/L ± 3.01 U/L vs 15.67 U/L ± 2.36 U/L, 48 h 24.40 U/L ± 3.93 U/L vs 19.18 U/L ± 1.65 U/L, P < 0.05; ALT: 6 h 17.23 U/L ± 3.01 U/L vs 13.13 U/L ± 2.41 U/L, 24 h 19.33 U/L ± 3.01 U/L vs 15.67 U/L ± 2.36 U/L, 48 h 24.40 U/L ± 3.93 U/L vs 19.18 U/L ± 1.65 U/L, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Serum pharmacology test can be used for pharmacodynamic evaluation of Yinchenhao decoction. The endoplasmic reticulum stress mediated by IRE1α might be an important pathway by which Yinchenhao decoction exerts a protective effect on hepatocytes of rats with obstructive jaundice.