Study on the mechanism of regulation on the peritoneal lymphatic stomata with Chinese herbal medicine

Abstract

Aim: To study the mechanism of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), the prescription consists of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, Radix Codonopsitis Pilosulae, Rhizoma Atractylodis Alba and Rhizoma Alismatis, Leonurus Heterophyllus Sweet,etc on the regulation of the peritoneal lymphatic stomata and the ascites drainage.

Methods: The mouse model of live fibrosis was established with the application of intragastric installations of carbon tetrachloride once every three days; scanning electron microscope and computer image processing were used to detect the area and the distributive density of the peritoneal lymphatic stomata; and the concentrations and NO in the serum were measured and analyzed in the experiment.

Results: Two different doses of CHM could significantly increase the area of the peritoneal lymphatic stomata, promote its distributive density and enhance the drainage of urinary ion such as sodium, potassium and chlorine. Meanwhile, the NO concentration of two different doses of CHM groups was 133.52+/-23.57 micromol/L and 137.2+/-26.79 micromol/L respectively. In comparison with the control group and model groups (48.36+/-6.83 micromol/L and 35.22+/-8.94 micromol/L, P<0.01),there existed significantly marked difference, this made it clear that Chinese herbal medicine could induce high endogenous NO concentration. The effect of Chinese herbal medicine on the peritoneal lymphatic stomata and the drainage of urinary ion was altered by adding NO donor(sodium nitropurruside,SNP) or NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor (N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine, L-NMMA) to the peritoneal cavity.

Conclusion: There existed correlations between high NO concentration and enlargement of the peritoneal lymphatic stomata, which result in enhanced drainage of ascites. These data supported the hypothesis that Chinese herbal medicine could regulate the peritoneal lymphatic stomata by accelerating the synthesis and release of endogenous NO.

Figure 1

SEM observation of mouse diaphragmatic peritoneum in the control group. Both the area and distribution density of the peritoneal lymphatic stomata (arrow) are small. × 3500

Figure 2

SEM observation of mouse diaphragmatic peritoneum in model group showing the peritoneal stomata (arrow). × 3500

Figure 3

SEM observation of mouse diaphragmatic peritoneum in CHMI group. The area and distribution density of the peritoneal lymphatic stomata (arrow) are significantly increased. × 3500

Figure 4

SEM observation of mouse diaphragmatic peritoneum in CHMII group. The area and distribution density of the peritoneal lymphatic stomata (arrow) are significantly increased. × 3500

Figure 5

SEM observation of mouse diaphragmatic peritoneum in DR group. Compared with model group, the area and distribution density of the peritoneal lymphatic stomata (arrow) are relatively increased. × 3500

Figure 6

SEM observation of mouse diaphragmatic peritoneum in IR group. Compared with CHMII group, the area and distribution density of the peritoneal lymphatic stomata (arrow) are relatively decreased. × 3500

Figure 7

The influence of CHM, NO donor and NOS inhibitor on the distribution density of the lymphatic stomata.

Figure 8

The change of NO concentration by using CHM,NO donor and NOS inhibitor in the mice.