title: Protective effect of Sijunzi decoction on neuromuscular junction ultrastructure in autoimmune myasthenia gravis rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the protective role of Sijunzi decoction in neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and muscle cell mitochondria ultrastructure; as well as its effects on the amount of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, II, III, and IV in autoimmune myasthenia gravis rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  An experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) rat model was established by inoculating rats with acetylcholine receptors extracted from Torpedo. Rats were divided into three groups: model, prednisone, and Sijunzi decoction, and were fed physiological saline, prednisone, or Sijunzi decoction, respectively. NMJ and muscle cell mitochondria ultrastructure were observed by transmission electron microscope. The amount of ATP was assessed by high performance liquid chromatography. The activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, II, III, and IV was determined using the Clark oxygen electrode method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the model group, there were sparse muscle fibers, with decreased mitochondria, and sparse, diffluent, or absent NMJ folds. After intervention with Sijunzi decoction, the above pathology changes were improved: muscle fiber structure was clear and complete; the mitochondria count was higher; and the NMJ structure was close to normal. Gastrocnemius muscle mitochondria in the model group produced significantly less ATP than those in the prednisone group (P < 0.01). Conversely, the ATP of Sijunzi decoction group was significantly higher than prednisone group (P < 0.01). The activities of gastrocnemius muscle mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, II, III, and IV in both the prednisone and Sijunzi decoction groups was dramatically higher compared with the model group (P < 0.05). The activities of complexes I and III in the Sijunzi decoction group were significantly higher than those in the prednisone group (P < 0.05), but there was no obvious difference in complex II or IV activities between the two groups (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sijunzi decoction improved pathological changes in muscle mitochondria and NMJ, enhanced the amount of ATP in gastrocnemius muscle mitochondria, and improved the activities of respiratory chain complexes I, II, III, and IV (especially I and III) of the EAMG rats.
authors.forename: Haibin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Shifeng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: She
authors.forename: Youzhang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Wensheng
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.forename: Yalei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Huansong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D042967:Electron Transport Complex I / Q000378:metabolism; D042963:Electron Transport Complex II / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D020011:Protective Agents; C478189:respiratory complex II; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D042963:Electron Transport Complex II; D042967:Electron Transport Complex I