Inhibition of the expression of inflammation cytokines by rhubarb in experimental acute necrotizing pancreatitis rats

Objective To observe the changes of inflammation cytokines in pancreas tissues of experimental acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) rats treated with rhubarb.Methods Thirty-three rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,ANP group and rhubarb treatment group with 11 rats in each group.ANP model was induced by retrograde injection of 3％ sodium taurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct,and jejunostomy was performed.Rats in rhubarb treatment group were fed with 1 g/ml rhubarb at the dose of 1 ml/kg body weight via jejunum route.Thirty-six hours later the rats were sacrificed.The serum level of amylase was measured; part of the pancreatic tissue was harvested for routine pathologic examination; total RNA was extracted from pancreatic tissue.The expression of IL-6,IL-8,and TNF-α mRNA was measured by real-time PCR.Results After ANP induction,the serum level of amylase was significantly increased,and pancreatic tissue necrosis,bleeding and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed,which was consistent with changes of ANP.The expressions of IL-6,IL-8,and TNF-α mRNA were 0.29 ±0.13,0.35 ±0.15,1.09 ±0.32 in sham operation group,while they were 2.23 ±0.49,2.26 ±0.51,5.24 ±0.59 in ANP group,which were significantly higher than those in sham operation group ( P ＜ 0.05 ).The corresponding values were 0.97 ±0.30,1.02 ±0.34,2.59 ±0.36 in rhubarb treatment group,which were significantly lower than those in ANP group,but they were still significantly higher than those in sham operation group ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions Rhubarb lavage via jejunum route can decrease the expressions of IL-6,IL-8,and TNF-α,therefore attenuate the pancreatic pathologic injuries. Key words: Pancreatitis, acute necrotizing;  IL-6;  IL-8 ;  TNF-α;  Rhubarb