Da-Huang-Fu-Zi-Tang attenuates liver injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis

Ethnopharmacological relevanceDa-Huang-Fu-Zi-Tang (DHFZT) is a famous traditional Chinese prescription with strong anti-inflammatory effects. Our previous work found that DHFZT could act against pancreatic injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) via inhibiting the Janus kinase 2/signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signaling pathway in pancreatic tissues.Aim of the studyTo investigate the therapeutic effects of DHFZT on liver injury in SAP rats, and the effects on JAK2/STAT3 signaling in liver tissue and Kupffer cells (KCs).Materials and methodsFifty SD male rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham operation group (SO), SAP model group, DHFZT treatment groups (12, 24, and 48 mg/kg body weight). The model of SAP was constructed by injecting sodium taurocholate (3.5%) into pancreatic and biliary ducts. One hour before constructing the model, DHFZT was perfused into the stomach. All rats were sacrificed after 24 h following the operation; livers were examined with hematoxylin and eosin staining. The protein expression of pJAK2 and pSTAT3 in liver tissue was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The activity of ALT, IL-6 and TNF-α in serum was detected. KCs of each group were isolated. After culture for 4 h, the protein expression of JAK2, pJAK2, STAT3 and pSTAT3, the mRNA expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in KCs were examined.ResultsSodium taurocholate induced liver injury concomitant with increased expression of pJAK2 and pSTAT3 in liver tissue and KCs. Pretreatment with DHFZT significantly attenuated liver injury induced by SAP, and concurrently, effectively lowered the serum ALT level. Furthermore, our studies showed that DHFZT obviously decreased the expression of pJAK2 and pSTAT3 in liver tissue and KCs.ConclusionsDHFZT could ameliorate liver injury in rats with SAP.

Graphical AbstractThe expression of JAK2, STAT3, pJAK2 and pSTAT3 in KCs. β-Actin was used as an internal control. (A) The gray band of each group; (B) Fold changes of the protein levels of target genes related to the invariant control β-actin. Data were expressed as mean±SD. #P<0.01 vs. SO group, *P<0.05, **P<0.01 vs. SAP group.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (125 K)Download as PowerPoint slide