Article
XU Rong , WU Shuangshuang , HUANG Yanhong , YAO Yan , LEI Ling
Objective To explore the effect of Wumei pill on the expression of Rho/ROCK signaling proteins in the
colon of rats with ulcerative colitis(UC). Methods Thirty-two male SD rats were selected, 8 of which were randomly
selected as the normal group, and the rest were established UC models by enema of 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid.The model rats were divided into the Wumei pill group(given 28.8 g/kg by gavage), the positive control group(given
300 mg/kg of mesalazine suspension by gavage), and the model group, with 8 rats in each group. Both the normal group
and the model group were treated with the same volume of 0.9% sodium cholride injection by gavage. The administration
volume was 20 mL/kg. The administration was given once a day for 10 consecutive days. The activity of rats in each
group was observed every day, the length and mass of the colon were measured, and the intestinal mass index was
calculated. Colonic pathological changes and the score of colon macroscopic damage index(CMDI) were compared.
The number of white blood cells and platelets in peripheral blood were detected by a blood analyzer. Western blot was
used to detect the protein expressions of RhoA, Rho guanosine triphosphate(GTP) and Claudin-1 in colon tissue. Results
Compared with the normal group, typical UC pathological changes occurred in the colonic mucosa of rats in the model
group. The CMDI score, intestinal mass index, the number of white blood cells and platelets in peripheral blood, and the
expressions of RhoA and RhoGTP in colonic tissue were significantly increased(P<0.05), and the length of the colon
was significantly shortened(P<0.05). The expression of Claudin-1 protein was significantly down-regulated(P<0.05).
Compared with the model group, the mucosal UC pathological results in the Wumei pill treatment group and the positive
control group improved, the CMDI score decreased(P<0.05), and the intestinal mass index, the number of white blood
cells and platelets in peripheral blood, and the protein expressions of RhoA and RhoGTP in colon tissue were significantly
reduced(P<0.05). The length of the colon increased significantly(P<0.05), and the expression of Claudin-1 protein
was significantly upregulated(P<0.05). Conclusion Wumei pill can improve the barrier function of colonic mucosal
endothelial cells by regulating the expression levels of related proteins in the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway, thereby
effectively treating UC.