Berberine Ameliorates Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Damage Induced by Peritoneal Air Exposure

Abstract

Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid derived from many medicinal plants, has been extensively used to treat various gastrointestinal diseases. In the present study, we investigated whether berberine could ameliorate intestinal mucosal barrier damage induced by peritoneal air exposure for 3 h. Peritoneal air-exposure rats received 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg berberine orally via gavage four times before and after surgery. Blood and terminal ileum samples were collected 24 h after surgery. The serum D-lactate levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Intestinal permeability was determined by measuring the intestinal clearance of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran (FD4). Intestinal inflammation was assessed by measuring myeloperoxidase activity. Intestinal histopathology was also assessed. The results revealed that berberine decreased the serum D-lactate level, intestinal FD4 clearance, and myeloperoxidase activity. Edema and inflammation were reduced by berberine in the intestinal mucosa and submucosa, and the Chiu's scores, indices of intestinal mucosal injury, also decreased in the berberine-treated group. In addition, berberine exerted these protective effects in a dose-dependent manner, with a significant difference from the control group at doses of 150 and 200 mg/kg. The results suggest that berberine could ameliorate intestinal mucosal barrier damage induced by peritoneal air exposure, which is linked to its anti-inflammatory activity. Berberine may be a promising treatment for intestinal mucosal barrier damage in open abdominal surgery.

Berberine Reduces Uremia-Associated Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Damage

“…24) Furthermore, FD4, a relatively large molecule, could not pass through the normal intestinal mucosal barrier; if the intestinal permeability is increased under pathological conditions, FD4 will pass through the intestinal mucosal barrier. 8) Therefore, serum D-lactate level and intestinal clearance of FD4 have been considered as sensitive biomarkers to assess the intestinal mucosal barrier function. 8,12,24) In the present study, berberine treatment significantly reduced both serum D-lactate level and intestinal clearance of FD4 in the uremic rats.…”

“…8) Therefore, serum D-lactate level and intestinal clearance of FD4 have been considered as sensitive biomarkers to assess the intestinal mucosal barrier function. 8,12,24) In the present study, berberine treatment significantly reduced both serum D-lactate level and intestinal clearance of FD4 in the uremic rats. The Chiu's scores calculated for assessing the degree of intestinal mucosal injury were also significantly decreased by berberine treatment when compared with those in the uremic group.…”

“…This dosage used in the present study was chosen according to the results in the previous studies and our preliminary experiment. 8,18,19) Rats in the control and the uremic groups were given equal volume of saline by oral gavage. At 10 weeks after operation (6 weeks after treatment), the animals were sacrificed and the blood and terminal ileum samples were collected.…”

“…8,12,24) Briefly, a 8-cm segment of terminal ileum was collected, and the intestinal mucosa was everted; one end of the segment was closed to make an intestinal sac, to which 1.0 mL Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer was injected from the other end. The filled intestinal sac was then incubated in a 0.5 mg/mL FD4-contained bathing solution at 37°C.…”

“…[5][6][7] We have also recently reported that berberine reduced the intestinal mucosal barrier damage following peritoneal air exposure in open abdominal surgery. 8) Therefore, we speculated that berberine might be applied to protect intestinal mucosal barrier function in some chronic diseases.…”