Traditional Medicine
Copyright ©The Author(s) 1997. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Sep 15, 1997; 3(3): 192-194
Published online Sep 15, 1997. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v3.i3.192
Effects of tetrandrine on gastric mucosa and liver in portal hypertensive rats
Yi Mu, Yao-Zong Shen, Yi-Fang Chu
Yi Mu, Yao-Zong Shen, Yi-Fang Chu, Research Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xuzhou Medical College, and Department of Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by a grant from the Natural Science Foundation of the Educational Committee of Jiangsu Province, No.920098.
Correspondence to: Dr. Yi Mu, Associate Professor, having 15 papers published. Research Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xuzhou Medical College, and Department of Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu Province, China
Telephone: +86-516-5698950-2009
Received: August 8, 1996
Revised: October 2, 1996
Accepted: November 10, 1996
Published online: September 15, 1997
Abstract

AIM: To study the effects of tetrandrine on portal hypertensive gastric mucosal lesions.

METHODS: Portal hypertensive models were induced in Wistar rats by 60% CCl4 3 mL/kg body weight through subcutaneous injection, once every 4 d for 56 d. The animals were randomly divided into portal hypertension, tetrandrine and propranolol groups and subsequently, treated by normal saline, tetrandrine and propranolol respectively for 15 d. Some healthy rats were used as control group. Portal venous pressure (PVP), gastric mucosal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) content, gastric mucosal blood flow (GMBF), gastric adherent mucus (GAM), ALT, ALP and serum total bilirubin (STB), were measured and liver tissues were observed histologically.

RESULTS: In tetrandrine group and propranolol group, PVP was significantly lower (1.43 ± 0.13, 1.45 ± 0.12 vs 1.89 ± 0.18 kPa; P < 0.01) and gastric mucosal PGE2 content (138.59 ± 12.68, 129.98 ± 14.31 vs 104.65 ± 12.97 pg/mg; P < 0.01), GMBF (11.80 ± 3.47, 10.54 ± 3.63 vs 6.61 ± 2.82 mL·h·kg; P < 0.05) and GAM (3.01 ± 0.15, 2.98 ± 0.21 vs 2.24 mg ± 0.26 mg; P < 0.01) was significantly higher than that in portal hypertension control group. In tetrandrine group intrahepatic proliferative fibrous tissues were reduced and serum ALT (47.67 ± 25.90 vs 189.33 ± 41.21 King U; P < 0.01), ALP (0.22 ± 0.04 vs 0.31 ± 0.06 μmol·s-1/L; P < 0.01) and STB (4.75 ± 0.76 vs 11.12 ± 2.93 μmol/L; P < 0.01) were lowered as compared with those in portal hypertension control group. ALT (209.34 ± 36.91 vs 189.33 ± 41.21 King U; P > 0.05) and STB (11.63 ± 3.01 vs 11.12 ± 2.93 μmol/L; P > 0.05) in propranolol group were not different from that in portal hypertension control group, but it showed more marked hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis and elevation of ALP (0.46 ± 0.05 vs 0.31 ± 0.06 μmol·s-1/L; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: Tetrandrine can improve the functions of gastric mucosa and liver, and facilitate the absorption of intrahepatic proliferative fibrous tissues. Propranolol can aggravate hepatosis though it may improve portal hypertensive gastric mucosal lesions.

Keywords: Liver gastric mucosa; Hypertension, portal; Tetrandrine; Propranolol