The mechanism of Dachengqi decoction in improving endocrine pancreatic function in acute pancreatitis
QU Peng-fei,HAN Jun-quan,LI Cai-xia
Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin (300151), China
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the effect of Dachengqi decoction (DCQD) on endocrine function and the potential mechanisms in acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods Rat AP models were induced by 6 intraperitoneal injections of caerulein in saline (50 μg/kg body weight), Dachengqi decoction (4.8 g/kg body weight) was orally given at 3 h before and 9 h after the last injection of caerulein. The blood glucose and serum amylase, the levels of insulin, C-peptide and glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1) were dynamically analyzed. The histopathological changes of pancreas and ileum, and the quantification of GLP-1 positive cells were observed. In addition, the GLP-1 levels in pancreas, ileum and ileal lumen were detected by ELISA. Results Dachengqi decoction treatment significantly reduced the serum amylase activity and blood glucose, alleviated the histopathological damage of pancreas and ileum. Moreover, Dachengqi decoction obviously increased the serum levels of insulin, C-peptide and GLP-1, as well as L-cells numbers of ileum in AP rats. Further determination indicated that Dachengqi decoction elevated the GLP-1 levels in the pancreas and ileum, decreased the GLP-1 level in ileal lumen. Conclusion Dachengqi decoction improves endocrine pancreatic function of AP, the mechanisms is related to protecting L-cells and raising the production of endogenous GLP-1, which in turn increases the level of insulin secreted by pancreas.
