Cholinergic receptor blockers affect the protective effect of Angong Niuhuang pill on neurologic deficits and intestinal injury in intracerebral hemorrhage mice

Abstract

Stroke is a devastating disease, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating subtype. This study aimed to investigate whether cholinergic receptors participate in the process of Angong Niuhuang Pill (ANP) improving neurological function and relieving intestinal injury in ICH mice. The mice were treated with ANP, cholinergic receptor blockers, atropine (ATR), penehyclidine hydrochloride (PHC) or methyllycaconitine (MLA). Male CD-1 mice were randomly divided into 9 groups, Sham, ICH, ANP (0.2 g/kg), ANP plus ATR, ANP plus PHC, ANP plus MLA, ATR, PHC, MLA. ICH model is made by collagenase VII injection (0.075 U). ANP (0.2 g/kg) was administered by gavage after 30 min of ICH. MLA, ATR, PHC was given at 15 min after ICH. Neurological function was evaluated by Garcia test. Intestinal injury was observed by histological analysis. Endotoxin (ET) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Compared to the Sham group, the score of Garcia test in the ICH significantly decreased. ANP increased significantly the score of ICH mice. ANP also ameliorated the intestinal injury caused by ICH. Cholinergic receptor blockers reversed partially the improvement of neurological function and intestinal injury by ANP. ANP attenuates the neurological deficits and intestinal injury in ICH mice and the protective effect of ANP may be involved in the regulation of the cholinergic system.