title: Berberine Reduces Uremia-Associated Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Damage.
abstract: Berberine is one of the main active constituents of Rhizoma coptidis, a traditional Chinese medicine, and has long been used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of berberine on the intestinal mucosal barrier damage in a rat uremia model induced by the 5/6 kidney resection. Beginning at postoperative week 4, the uremia rats were treated with daily 150 mg/kg berberine by oral gavage for 6 weeks. To assess the intestinal mucosal barrier changes, blood samples were collected for measuring the serum D-lactate level, and terminal ileum tissue samples were used for analyses of intestinal permeability, myeloperoxidase activity, histopathology, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Berberine treatment resulted in significant decreases in the serum D-lactate level, intestinal permeability, intestinal myeloperoxidase activity, and intestinal mucosal and submucosal edema and inflammation, and the Chiu's scores assessed for intestinal mucosal injury. The intestinal MDA level was reduced and the intestinal SOD activity was increased following berberine treatment. In conclusion, berberine reduces intestinal mucosal barrier damage induced by uremia, which is most likely due to its anti-oxidative activity. It may be developed as a potential treatment for preserving intestinal mucosal barrier function in patients with uremia.
authors: Department of Nephrology & Rheumatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine.
authors: Chao
authors: C
authors: Yu
authors: Shanjun
authors: S
authors: Tan
authors: Chunyu
authors: C
authors: Zhou
authors: Cuilin
authors: C
authors: Zhu
authors: Xin
authors: X
authors: Kang
authors: Shuai
authors: S
authors: Liu
authors: Shuang
authors: S
authors: Zhao
authors: Shulin
authors: S
authors: Fan
authors: Zhen
authors: Z
authors: Yu
authors: Ai
authors: A
authors: Peng
authors: Zhen
authors: Z
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001599:Berberine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D010539:Permeability; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D014511:Uremia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D001599:Berberine; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D009195:Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase