Effects of Xuebijing on hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in early stage of septic rats

Abstract

To explore the levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisone (CORT) and ultrastructural abnormalities in hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal specimens and potential effects of Xuebijing injection in septic rats. Sepsis was induced in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). A total of 40 rats were randomly divided into control group (n = 10), sham-operated group (n = 10), saline treatment group (NS, 4 ml/kg, n = 10), Xuebijing injection treatment group (XBJ, 4 ml/kg, n = 10). The histological abnormalities associated with sepsis were examined in hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenals. Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to detect the levels of CRH in hypothalamic tissue and the plasma levels of ACTH and CORT. Compared with normal control or sham group, the levels of CRH in hypothalamus tissue of CLP group and plasma levels of ACTH and CORT increased in early stage of sepsis. In NS group, the plasma CORT concentration ((30.66 ± 1.55) ng/ml) was significantly higher than that in normal control group ((7.63 ± 0.56) ng/ml, P < 0.01) and sham group ((11.85 ± 0.87) ng/ml, P < 0.01). In XBJ group, the plasma CORT concentration ((22.13 ± 1.49) ng/ml) was significantly lower than that in NS group (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between normal control and sham groups (P > 0.05). In NS group, the plasma concentration of ATCH ((26.26 ± 1.63) pg/ml) was significantly higher than that in normal control group ((8.84 ± 1.39) pg/ml, P < 0.01) and sham group ((11.43 ± 0.47) pg/ml, P < 0.01). In XBJ group, the plasma concentration of ATCH ((22.13 ± 1.49) ng/ml) was significantly lower than that in NS group (P < 0.01). No significant difference existed between normal control and sham groups (P > 0.05). In NS group, the level of CRH in hypothalamus tissue ((101.92 ± 6.61) ng/ml) was significantly higher than that in normal control group ((61.65 ± 6.05) ng/ml, P < 0.05) and sham group ((66.65 ± 4.04) ng/ml, P < 0.05). In XBJ group, the concentration of CRH in hypothalamus tissue ((84.90 ± 2.54) ng/ml) was significantly lower than that in NS group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between normal control and sham groups (P > 0.05). The ultrastructures of hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal changed. In CLP group, the ultrastructure of hypothalamus was as follows: rough endoplasmic reticulum expanded. There were degranulation and Golgi complex swelling. A large number of endocrine granules could be seen in ATCH cells in pituitary and a depletion of adrenal lipid droplets. Xuebijing injection can lessen the excessive activated status of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.