DOI: 10.1177/09731296261477616 ISSN: 0973-1296

Gallstone Decoction Reduces the Expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha and Nuclear Factor Kappa B Proteins in Gallbladder Tissues of Gallbladder Pigment Stones in Rats

Wenting Xia, Li Liu, Hui Chen
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Background

Gallstone decoction, as a traditional Chinese medicine compound, can exert litholytic effects by regulating bile components and inhibiting gallbladder inflammation. However, its influence on the TNF-α/NF-κB pathway in bilirubin stones remains unclear.

Purpose

The role of gallstone decoction in inflammatory factors associated with gallstones was investigated by creating a gallstone model in rats, aiming to provide a reference for more effective gallstone treatment.

Materials and Methods

Forty-five female guinea pigs were selected and grouped according to the random number table method, that is, 15 in the blank group, 15 in the model group, and 15 in the treatment group. The guinea pigs in the model group and the treatment group were injected subcutaneously with lincomycin hydrochloride at 60 mg/kg/day to establish a bile pigment stone model, and an appropriate amount of distilled water was given to the blank group. An infrared spectrometer qualitatively analyzed calculi. The related expressions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) protein and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) were detected by the immunohistochemical ABC method (streptavidin–biotin complex). Total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), and indirect bilirubin (IBIL) were detected by diazo reagent, and Ca 2+ was detected by methyl thymol blue colorimetry.

Results

The stone formation rate of guinea pigs in the model group was 80.00% compared with the other two groups ( p < .05) without difference between other two groups ( p > .05). The stones were mainly black and brown and had various shapes. The absorption peaks of gallstones were found in 3,346–3,417 cm –1 , 1,622–1,661 cm –1 , and 1,010–1,032 cm –1 by infrared spectroscopy. After the second week of modeling, the body weight of guinea pigs in the model and treatment groups began to decline, and at the end of 3 weeks, the body weight of the guinea pigs in the former group decreased significantly compared with the latter. The data of TNF-α protein in the model group (200.31 ± 35.63) ng/L and NF-κB (92.71 ± 28.89)% were better than those of the other two groups ( p < .05). The levels of TBIL (3.71 ± 0.46) mol/L, DBIL (0.82 ± 0.21) mol/L, and IBIL (2.58 ± 0.51) mol/L in the model group were all higher than those in the other two groups ( p < .05). The TBIL (2.02 ± 0.68) mol/L, DBIL (0.30 ± 0.12) mol/L, and IBIL (1.56 ± 0.51) mol/L of rats in the treatment group were all lower than those in the model group ( p < .05), and the data of Ca 2+ content in the three groups were not different ( p > .05).

Conclusion

Gallstone decoction can significantly reduce the stone-forming rate of gallbladder pigment stones in guinea pigs, and this process may be related to the decreased expression of TNF-α and NF-κB proteins in gallbladder tissue.

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