The protective effects of Xuebijing injection on intestinal injuries of mice exposed to irradiation

Abstract

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) injury is one of the most common side effects of radiotherapy. However, there is no ideal therapy method except for symptomatic treatment in the clinic. Xuebijing (XBJ) is a traditional Chinese medicine, used to treat sepsis by injection. In this study, the protective effects of XBJ on radiation-induced intestinal injury (RIII) and its mechanism were explored. Methods:The effect of XBJ on survival of irradiated C57BL/6 mice was monitored.Histological changes including the number of crypts and the length of villi were evaluated by H&E. The expression of Lgr5 + intestinal stem cells (ISCs), Ki67 + cells, villin and lysozymes were examined by immunohistochemistry. The expression of cytokines in the intestinal crypt was detected by RT-PCR. DNA damage and apoptosis rates in the small intestine were also evaluated by immunofluorescence. Results:In the present study, XBJ improved the survival rate of the mice after 8.0 and 9.0 Gy total body irradiation (TBI). XBJ attenuated structural damage of the small intestine, maintained regenerative ability and promoted proliferation and differentiation of crypt cells, decreased apoptosis rate and reduced DNA damage in the intestine. Elevation of IL-6 and TNFα was limited, but IL-1, TNF-𝛽 and IL-10 levels were increased in XBJ-treated group after irradiation. The expression of Bax and p53 were decreased after XBJ treatment. Conclusions:Taken together, XBJ provides a protective effect on RIII by inhibiting inflammation and blocking p53-related apoptosis pathway.

Effects of Bacillus halophilus on growth, intestinal flora and metabolism of Larimichthys crocea

“…The reduction of villi height means that the intestinal absorption area is reduced and the supply of nutrients is reduced [ 53 ]. Crypt depth reflects the ability of intestinal cells to differentiate villi [ 54 ]. In this study, villi height was reduced in the treatment group compared to the control group.…”

Development of radiation countermeasure agents for acute radiation syndromes

“…Diels, S. miltiorrhiza Bunge, Conioselinum anthriscoides "Chuanxiong," Paeonia lactiflora Pall., and Carthamus tinctorius L, and studies have demonstrated that its administration can suppress inflammation, reduce apoptosis, and decrease ROS levels in bone marrow cells, thereby attenuating the decrease in survival due to intestinal and bone marrow injury induced by exposure to lethal doses of TBI. 89,90 Another study demonstrated that a formulation composed of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, L. barbarum L, G. lucidum Karst, and Astragalus mongholicus Bunge exerted radioprotective effects by improving the survival of irradiated mice by reducing radiation-induced injury of the immune system.…”

“…XBJ contains A. sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, S. miltiorrhiza Bunge, Conioselinum anthriscoides “Chuanxiong,” Paeonia lactiflora Pall., and Carthamus tinctorius L, and studies have demonstrated that its administration can suppress inflammation, reduce apoptosis, and decrease ROS levels in bone marrow cells, thereby attenuating the decrease in survival due to intestinal and bone marrow injury induced by exposure to lethal doses of TBI 89,90 . Another study demonstrated that a formulation composed of Poria cocos (Schw.)…”