[Effects of Xuebijing injection on protein C and tumor necrosis factor-alpha mRNA in rats with sepsis].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the effects of the integrated traditional Chinese medicine Xuebijing injection on protein C (PC) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA in rats with sepsis.

METHODS:

Sepsis was induced in Wistar rats by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Ninety-six healthy animals were randomly divided into four groups: normal group, sham-operation group, CLP model group, and Xuebijing-treated group. The two latter groups were divided into 2, 8, 24, 48, and 72-hour subgroups with 8 rats in each subgroup. Platelet count of blood obtained from abdominal aorta was determined and tissue samples from liver and lungs were collected to measure tissue PC and TNF-alpha mRNA expression.

RESULTS:

PC gene expression levels in lung tissues were significantly lowered (all P<0.01), but they were dramatically raised by Xuebijing injection during 8-72 hours post-CLP (all P<0.01). Compared with normal group, TNF-alpha mRNA levels in liver and lungs were significantly elevated at 2 hours post-CLP (P<0.05 or P<0.01). However, treatment with Xuebijing injection markedly reduced TNF-alpha mRNA both in liver and lungs at 2-24 hours (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In CLP group, blood platelet count was significantly decreased to certain extent at different intervals within 8-72 hours, and it was markedly elevated in the Xuebijing-treated group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSION:

The current study suggests that Xuebijing injection could exert preventing effect on the development of severe sepsis by suppressing PC and TNF-alpha mRNA.

• Authors: Yin-ping Li, You-jie Qiao, Zi-xia Wu, Fang-fang Qian, Yong-ming Yao, Yan Yu, Yao Wu
• Journal: Zhongguo wei zhong bing ji jiu yi xue = Chinese critical care medicine = Zhongguo weizhongbing jijiuyixue (Zhongguo Wei Zhong Bing Ji Jiu Yi Xue) Vol. 19 Issue 8 Pg. 488-91 (Aug 2007) ISSN: 1003-0603 [Print] China
• PMID: 17708848 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Protein C
• RNA, Messenger
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Topics

• Animals
• Disease Models, Animal
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (pharmacology)
• Male
• Protein C (genetics, metabolism)
• RNA, Messenger (genetics)
• Random Allocation
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Sepsis (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (genetics, metabolism)