Effect of Qinghuachang Drink on mice with colitis-associated colorectal cancer and Intestinal barrier function
Objective To observe the effects of Qinghuachang Drink(QHCD)on the mouse model of colitis-associated colorectal cancer(CAC)and its intestinal barrier function.Methods Forty C57BL/6 mice were randomized into blank group,model group,QHCD group,and positive control group.Except for blank group,the rest groups were induced to establish a CAC model by azoxymethane(AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium salt(DSS).QHCD,positive control,and blank groups were given QHCD 1.8 g/(kg·d),sulfasalazine suspension 0.45 g/(kg·d),and the equal volume of sterile saline by gavage,respectively,for 14 d in succession.The general condition,body mass and disease activity index(DAI)of mice were observed and recorded;HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the colorectal tissue of mice;Western blot was used to determine the protein expression levels of Claudin-1,Occludin,ZO-1 in the colorectal tissue.Results The mice of model group had bloody stool and rectal prolapse.After intervention,the condition of mice in QHCD group was improved and the DAI score decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The pathological results of HE showed that high-grade tubular adenomas formed in model group,and low-grade adenomas and high-grade neoplasia were present in QHCD group,indicating that QHCD could alleviate intestinal inflammation and delay the progression of canceration.Compared with blank group,the protein expression level of Claudin-1 in the colorectal tissue of mice in model group was higher(P<0.01),while the protein expression levels of Occludin and ZO-1 were lower(P<0.01);compared with model group,the protein expression level of Claudin-1 in the colorectal tissue of mice in both QHCD and positive control groups decreased(P<0.01),while the protein expression levels of Occludin and ZO-1 increased(P<0.05).Conclusion QHCD can inhibit CAC,and the mechanism may be related to alleviating intestinal inflammatory response and regulating intestinal barrier function.