Effect of Chaihushugansan on pancreatic fibrosis in mice with chronic pancreatitis induced by DBTC plus ethanol and its anti-oxidation mechanism

AIM:To explore the role of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in chronic pancreatitis (CP) induced by dibutyltin dichloride (DBTC) combined with ethanol, and the mechanisms for prevention and treatment of pancreatic fibrosis by Chaihushugansan. METHODS:The KM mice were randomly divided into control group, CP group (DBTC combined with ethanol) and Chaihushugansan group (CP+Chaihushugansan). Except for control group, the mice in other groups were intravenously injected in tail with DBTC (8 mg/kg) and drank 10% ethanol. The mice in Chaihushugansan group were administered intragastrically with Chaihushugansan (6 g·kg-1·d-1) at the following experimenal period. Before modeling and 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after modeling, the mice were anesthetized and sacrificed. The activity of amylase and the content of hyaluronic acid in the serum were measured. The morphology and the degree of fibrosis in the pancreas were observed by HE staining. The activity of SOD and the level of MDA in the pancreas homogenate were analyzed. The protein of pancreas was extracted to detect the expression of type I collagen by Western blotting. RESULTS:DBTC combined with ethanol induced CP with increased serum amylase and hyaluronic acid levels， while the serum amylase and hyaluronic acid levels in Chaihushugansan group were significantly lowered (P<0.05). In 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks, the pancreas were obviously injured and appeared different degrees of fibrosis. The content of MDA and the expression of type I collagen in the increased significantly, but the SOD was decreased. In Chaihushugansan group, the pathological damage and the degree of fibrosis of the pancreas were improved. The level of MDA and type I collagen expression in the pancreas were significantly reduced, but the SOD was increased. CONCLUSION: The oxidative stress may take part in the development of CP. Inhibition of oxidative stress in the pancreas is one of the mechanisms that Chaihushugansan attenuates the development of CP.