Lacrimal Center of Ophthalmology, The Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China.
Lacrimal Center of Ophthalmology, The Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China.
Life Sci. 2020 Nov 15;261:118479. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118479. Epub 2020 Sep 20.
This study was designed to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis effects of Berberine hydrochloride (BBR) following canalicular laceration (CL) surgical repair.
We used a rabbit CL model in this study. BBR and the control medicine were administered during and after the surgical operation. The degree of fibrosis in the canaliculi was evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining 7 days after the operation. Inflammation inside the canaliculi was observed using a transcanalicular endoscope. Expression levels of inflammatory cell cytokines [tumor growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), intracellular adhesion molecule-I (ICAM-1), and interleukin-β1 (IL-1β)] were detected using immunohistochemistry. P38 and ERK1 phosphorylation and activation were determined using western blot analysis.
The degree of inflammation and fibrosis were less in the BBR groups compared to Surgery group. The anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis effects of BBR were concentration-dependent. The levels of TGF-β1, CTGF, ICAM-1, and IL-1β were significantly lower in the BBR groups compared to Surgery group. BBR reduced the phosphorylation of P38 compared to Surgery group.
In conclusion, this study shows that BBR can reduce local fibrosis after CL surgical repair via its anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis effects.
本研究旨在探讨盐酸小檗碱（BBR）在管腔切开术后抑制炎症和抗纤维化的分子机制。
本研究采用兔管腔切开模型。在手术过程中和手术后给予 BBR 和对照药物。术后 7 天，通过苏木精和伊红及 Masson 三色染色评估管腔纤维化程度。通过经管内窥镜观察管腔内炎症。使用免疫组织化学检测炎症细胞细胞因子[转化生长因子-β1（TGF-β1）、结缔组织生长因子（CTGF）、细胞间黏附分子-1（ICAM-1）和白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）]的表达水平。使用 Western blot 分析测定 P38 和 ERK1 的磷酸化和激活。
与手术组相比，BBR 组的炎症和纤维化程度较低。BBR 的抗炎和抗纤维化作用呈浓度依赖性。BBR 组 TGF-β1、CTGF、ICAM-1 和 IL-1β 的水平明显低于手术组。与手术组相比，BBR 降低了 P38 的磷酸化。
综上所述，本研究表明 BBR 可通过其抗炎和抗纤维化作用减轻管腔切开术后局部纤维化。
