Abstract:
OBJECTIVE To study effects of semi bionic extraction of Angelica sinensis and Astragalus membranaceus(SEA) on gastrointestinal motility dysfunction in abdominal surgery rats, and to explore its mechanisms. METHODS The abdominal cavities of SD rats were opened, two transverse incisions were operated at colon appendix. After operation at 24 h, the rats were randomly divided into operation model group, positive control group (0.003 5 g·kg
-1 of cisapride), aqueous extract of A. sinensis and A. membranaceus(AEA) control group(5.2 g·kg
-1 of AEA), high, medium and low dose group of SEA(10.5, 5.2, 2.6 g·kg
-1 of SEA), sham operation group. Treatments were lasted 10 d. The general state of the rats, the time of first defecation and stool weight in 6 h were recorded, food intake and gastrointestinal propulsive index were measured, the levels of motilin(MTL) and gastrin(GAS) in blood were measured by ELISA; morphology and colonic interstitial cells of Cajal(ICC) were observed; the content of myosin light chain kinase(MLCK), actin and myosin were detected. RESULTS The gastrointestinal propulsion index(GPI), the levels of MTL and GAS in blood were reduced(P<0.01), vascular smooth muscle was dilated, thinning, muscle fibrosis was visible, granulation, the ultra-structure of ICC was damaged, the contents of MLCK and actin were decreased after the operation(P<0.01). The body weight of rats were increased, the first defecation time was shortened in the high or medium dose of SEA group(P<0.05), the amount of defecation was increased, and food intake increased(P<0.05, P<0.01); GPI and the content of MTL and GAS in blood increased. Colonic pathological change was improved and the number of ICC was increased and the content of MLCK, actin and myosin were increased in high or medium dose of SEA group(P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION The certain therapeutic effect of SEA on gastrointestinal motor dysfunction are determinate in abdominal operation rats, the mechanisms associates with the levels of MTL and GAS in blood, and the smooth muscle contraction associates proteins.