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World J Gastroenterol. Jan 21, 2006; 12(3): 485-488
Published online Jan 21, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i3.485
Role of nitric oxide in Toll-like receptor 2 and 4 mRNA expression in liver of acute hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis rats
Lei Zhang, He-Shui Wu, Yan Chen, Xing-Jun Guo, Lin Wang, Chun-You Wang, Jing-Hui Zhang, Yuan Tian
Lei Zhang, He-Shui Wu, Xing-Jun Guo, Lin Wang, Chun-You Wang, Center of Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
Jing-Hui Zhang, Yuan Tian, Laboratory of General Surgery, Affiliated Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
Yan Chen, Pediatric Department, Affiliated Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30200272
Correspondence to: He-Shui Wu, Center of Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China. whs1898@public.wh.hb.cn
Telephone: +86-27-85726273
Received: May 30, 2005
Revised: June 8, 2005
Accepted: June 11, 2005
Published online: January 21, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)/4mRNA expression in livers of acute hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis (AHNP) rats.

METHODS: One hundred and ten SD male rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group (n = 10), AHNP group (n = 30), chloroquine (CQ)-treated group (n  = 30) and L-Arg-treated group (n  = 40). TLR2/4mRNA expression in the liver of AHNP rats was measured by RT-PCR.

RESULTS: Expression of TLR2/4mRNA could be detected in the liver of AHNP rats in sham-operated group (0.155E-5 ± 0.230E-6 and 0.115E-2 ± 0.545E-4), but was markedly increased at 3 h in AHNP group (0.197E-2 ± 0.114E-3 and 0.175 ± 0.349E-2) peaking at 12 h (0.294E-2 ± 0.998E-4 and 2.673 ± 2.795E-2, P < 0.01). Hepatic injuries were aggravated, TNF-α concentration in the liver was increased and NO concentration was decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). When TLR2/4mRNA expression was inhibited by CQ (3 h: 1.037E-4 ± 3.299E-6 and 0.026 ± 3.462E-3; 6 h: 1.884E-4 ± 4.679E-6 and 0.108 ± 6.115E-3; 12 h: 2.443E-4 ± 7.714E-6 and 0.348 ± 6.807E-3; P  <  0.01), hepatic injuries were relieved, NO concentration in the liver was increased and TNF-α concentration was decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). When rats with AHNP were treated with L-Arg, TLR2/4mRNA expression in the liver could be effectively inhibited (50 mg-T: 0.232E-2 ± 0.532E-4 and 0.230 ± 6.883E-3; 100 mg-T: 0.210E-2 ± 1.691E-4 and 0.187 ± 0.849E-2; 200 mg-T: 0.163E-2 ± 0.404E-4 and 0.107 ± 0.195E-2; 400 mg-T: 0.100E-2 ± 0.317E-4 and 0.084 ± 0.552E-2; P < 0.01) and hepatic injuries were relieved. At the same time, NO concentration in the liver was markedly increased and TNF-α concentration was decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: The expression of TLR2/4mRNA is increased and hepatic injuries are aggravated in the liver of AHNP rats. TLR2/4mRNA gene expression in the liver of AHNP rats can be markedly inhibited by NO, leading to the relief of hepatic injuries.

Keywords: Toll-like receptors; Acute hemorrhage necrotizing pancreatitis; Liver; Nitric oxide; Chloroquine