Basic Research
Copyright ©2005 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Mar 14, 2005; 11(10): 1503-1507
Published online Mar 14, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i10.1503
Protective effects of Rheum tanguticum polysaccharide against hydrogen peroxide-induced intestinal epithelial cell injury
Lin-Na Liu, Qi-Bing Mei, Li Liu, Feng Zhang, Zhen-Guo Liu, Zhi-Peng Wang, Ru-Tao Wang
Lin-Na Liu, Qi-Bing Mei, Li Liu, Feng Zhang, Zhen-Guo Liu, Zhi-Peng Wang, Ru-Tao Wang, Department of Pharmacology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30100239
Correspondence to: Professor Qi-Bing Mei, Department of Pharmacology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China. wjg@wjgnet.com
Telephone: +86-10-85381892 Fax: +86-10-85381893
Received: June 24, 2004
Revised: June 25, 2004
Accepted: July 15, 2004
Published online: March 14, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To describe the effect of Rheum tanguticum polysaccharide (RTP) on hydrogen peroxide-induced human intestinal epithelial cell injury.

METHODS: Hydrogen peroxide (100 μmol/L) was introduced to induce human intestinal epithelial cell injury. Cells were pretreated with RTP (30,100,300 μg/mL) for 24 h before exposure to hydrogen peroxide. Cell viability was detected by MTT assay and morphological observation. Acridine orange staining and flow cytometry were performed to assess cell apoptosis. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, production of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured by spectrophotometry with corresponding assay kits.

RESULTS: Following exposure to H2O2, a marked decrease in cell survival and SOD activity, increased production of MDA, LDH leakage and cell apoptosis were found. Pretreatment of the cells with RTP could significantly elevate cell survival, SOD activity and decrease the level of MDA, LDH activity and cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSION: RTP may have cytoprotective and anti-oxidant effects against H2O2-induced intestinal epithelial cell injury by inhibiting cell apoptosis and necrosis. This might be one of the possible mechanisms of RTP for the treatment of ulcerative colitis in rats.

Keywords: Rheum tanguticum polysaccharide; Intestinal epithelial cells; Apoptosis; Necrosis; Catalase