Expressions of intestinal alpha-defensin-5, beta-defensin-2 in acute liver failure

Abstract

Objective To investigate the dynamic changes in intestinal alpha-defensin-5(RD-5), beta-defensin-2(BD-2) mRNA after acute liver failure(ALF), and to explore their role in ALF. Methods A total of 60 C57BL6 mice were divided into 4 groups by means of random number table method: normal control group, ALF group, E.coli via gavage group and ALF+ E.coli via gavage group.Intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine (500 mg/kg) and lipopolysaccharide(10 μg/kg) to make the model, in addition, ALF mice were fed with E. coli, and the observation time was 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours after modeling, and each time point had 6 specimens.Real-time PCR was used to test the RD-5 mRNA and BD-2 mRNA levels in the ileum tissue. Results The levels of RD-5 and BD-2 showed dynamic change in the experiment of ALF.Compared with the levels of RD-5 and BD-2(11.25±0.74, 23.86±0.39)of the normal control group, the levels of RD-5 and BD-2 in ALF group and E. coli via gavage group increased at 6 hours after modeling(14.19±0.39, 26.79±0.36 and 12.57±0.68, 26.45±0.85), and the differences were significant(all P<0.05); at 12 hours after modeling, the RD-5 and BD-2 reached to the maximum concentration(15.76±0.33, 29.10±0.61 and 12.90±0.96, 27.42±0.71), and the differences were statistically signi-ficant(all P<0.05). The degree of elevation of BD-2 was higher than RD-5.Later, they gradually declined. Conclusions RD-5 and BD-2 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of intestinal endotoxemia in experimental ALF. Key words: Alpha-defensin-5; Beta-defensin-2; Antimicrobial peptides; Lipopolysaccharide; D-galactosamine; Acute liver failure