title: Berberine ameliorates intestinal mucosal barrier damage induced by peritoneal air exposure.
abstract: Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid derived from many medicinal plants, has been extensively used to treat various gastrointestinal diseases. In the present study, we investigated whether berberine could ameliorate intestinal mucosal barrier damage induced by peritoneal air exposure for 3 h. Peritoneal air-exposure rats received 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg berberine orally via gavage four times before and after surgery. Blood and terminal ileum samples were collected 24 h after surgery. The serum D-lactate levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Intestinal permeability was determined by measuring the intestinal clearance of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran (FD4). Intestinal inflammation was assessed by measuring myeloperoxidase activity. Intestinal histopathology was also assessed. The results revealed that berberine decreased the serum D-lactate level, intestinal FD4 clearance, and myeloperoxidase activity. Edema and inflammation were reduced by berberine in the intestinal mucosa and submucosa, and the Chiu's scores, indices of intestinal mucosal injury, also decreased in the berberine-treated group. In addition, berberine exerted these protective effects in a dose-dependent manner, with a significant difference from the control group at doses of 150 and 200 mg/kg. The results suggest that berberine could ameliorate intestinal mucosal barrier damage induced by peritoneal air exposure, which is linked to its anti-inflammatory activity. Berberine may be a promising treatment for intestinal mucosal barrier damage in open abdominal surgery.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University.
authors.forename: Shanjun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Wenkui
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Zhiliang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Qiyi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jialiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Kaipeng
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.forename: Xiaowu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Jieshou
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000388:Air; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001599:Berberine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000601:surgery; D010539:Permeability; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001599:Berberine; D019344:Lactic Acid; D009195:Peroxidase