Protective effect of Xuebijing injection on myocardiac injury in rats with sepsis

Objective To investigate the protective effect of Xuebijing injection on myocardiac injury in rats with sepsis,and the possible mechanism of such effect.Methods Thirty SD rats were selected and randomly divided into sham operation group(Sham),sepsis group(CLP)and treatment group with Xuebijing injection(XBJ),with 10 rats in each group.In sham group,only open-close abdomen was performed.In CLP group,cecal ligation and puncture(CLP)was performed to induce sepsis.Xuebijing injection(8 ml/kg)was administered via celiac in XBJ group after CLP.Serum concentrations of troponin-I(TnI),brain natriuretic peptide(BNP),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin(IL)-1β were measured.Ultrastructure changes in myocardium were examined.Results The levels of TnI,BNP,TNF-α and IL-1β were increased significantly in rats with sepsis,and were decreased by Xuebijing injection in rats with sepsis.There were less myocardial ultrastructure injuries in Xuebijing group than in sepsis group.Conclusion Xuebijing injection improves myocardiac injury in rats with sepsis,possibly through down-regulating serum TNF-α and IL-1β levels.