Bacalin Attenuates Intestinal Ischemia-reperfusion Injury By Activating Nrf2-ARE Pathway In Rats

AIM:The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of bacalin on intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (ⅡR) injury in rats.METHODS:Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups, control(SO), bacalin(BA), ⅡR, and bacalin+ⅡR(BA+ⅡR) groups (8 rats in each group).The ⅡR model was created by clamping superior mesenteric artery (SMA) for 60 minutes and restoring blood supply for two hours. The rats in SO and BA groups underwent laparotomy, and the SMA was separated without occlusion. The rats in BA and BA+ⅡR groups were given bacalin (100 mg/kg,1 mL) by introperitoneal injection, at 30 minutes before model creation, respectively. The rats in SO and ⅡR groups, normal saline (1 mL) were given by introperitoneal injection, respectively. Intestinal histopathologic changes were examined. Serum Superoxide Dismutase(SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined by WST-1 and thiobarbituric acid method, plasma D-lactic acid level was assayed by Elisa. The NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), NF-κBp65, TNF-α, Occludin of intestinal tissue were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Nrf2、HO-1 of intestinal tissue were determined by Western blot (WB).RESULTS:In ⅡR group, the Chiu’s scores of intestinal mucosa, serum MDA level, plasma D-lactic acid level were significantly higher than that in SO group (P<0.01,respectively).Nrf2, HO-1, NF-κBp65, TNF-α, expression of intestinal tissues in ⅡR group were higher than that in SO group (IHC:P<0.05, P<0.01 & WB:P<0.01). In ⅡR group, serum SOD activity and Occludin expression in intestinal tissues decreased significantly when compared with SO group(P<0.01). In BA group, Nrf2, HO-1 expression in intestinal tissues increased significantly in comparison with SO group(IHC:P<0.05, WB:P<0.01). Compared with ⅡR group, intestine tissue injury was significantly reduced in ⅡR+BA group, serum MDA level,plasma D-lactic acid and NF-κBp65, TNF-α expression in intestinal tissues decreased significantly(P<0.01, respectively), serum SOD activity and Nrf2, HO-1, Occludin expression in intestinal tissues increased significantly(P<0.01, P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The study suggests that bacalin alleviate intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury by activating the Nrf2-ARE pathway.