Effects of emodin on the expression of inflammatory cytokines in rats with acute pancreatitis

Objective: To observe the effects of emodin on intestina1 barrier function in rats with severe acute pancreatitis（ SAP）,and explore its mechanism. Methods: Forty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly（ random number） divided into sham operation（ SO） group,severe acute pancreatitis（ SAP） group and emodin treatment group（ n = 15 in each group）. SAP rat model was established by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct. Rats in emodin group were then lavaged with emodin( 20 mg·kg -1 ) after the modeling. Five rats in each group were sacrificed at 3,6,12 hours,respectively after modeling. The serum levels of amylase,tumor necrosis factor-α（ TNF-α）,interleukin-6（ IL-6）,and diamine oxidase（ DAO） were detected,and pathological scores of the tissue of pancreas were evaluated under light microscope. TLR4 mRNA expressions on PBMCs were detected by RT-PCR. All data were analyzed by using the analysis of variance or t test. Results: The pancreatitis models were established successfully in group SAP and E. Compared with those in group SO,pancreatic pathological scores,levels of TLR4 mRNA,TNF-α,IL-6 and DAO in group SAP and E were significantly increased（ P < 0. 05）.Pancreatic pathological score,levels of TLR4 mRNA,TNF-α,IL-6 and DAO in group E were significantly decreased compared with those in group SAP（ P < 0. 05）. Conclusion: Emodin can significantly down-regulate the expressions of TLR4 mRNA and obviously improve the severity of SAP.