[Animal Modeling]-Inhibitory effect of ursolic acid on rat corneal transplant rejection

  Objective: To explore the therapeutic effect of ursolic acid on rat corneal transplant rejection.

   Method: Using SD rats as donors and Wistar rats as recipients, 48 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. Group A is a normal corneal control group, group B is an autologous orthotopic corneal transplantation of Wistar rats, and groups C and D are SD-Wistar rats undergoing allogeneic corneal transplantation. Intraperitoneal administration was performed on the same day after surgery, saline was used as blank control groups A, B, and C, and ursolic acid (UA) (UA) (20 mg·Kg-1·) was administered to 3 groups. Group D. d-1) 12 consecutive days. The corneal rejection scoring system (such as Larkin) determines the rejection of the graft after surgery. Compare the survival time and survival rate of corneal transplantation. On the 14th day after the operation, the expression levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, NF-κBp65, VEGF and ICAM-1 in each group were detected, and the corneal grafts were examined by histology and Western blot analysis.

   Results: The survival time of corneal transplantation in group D was 29.12±9.58 days, but compared with 9.67±2.16 days in group C, there was a significant difference between the two groups (P \u003cu003c0.01). The relative contents of IL-2, IFN-γ, NF-κBp65, ICAM-1 and VEGF in corneal grafts in the 14dD group after operation were significantly reduced, but the content of IκB-α protein was higher. No significant lymphocyte infiltration or angiogenesis was observed.

   Conclusion: Ursolic acid is a nuclear factor inhibitor of NF-κB, which can inhibit the formation and rejection of corneal neovascularization, and can significantly prolong the survival time of rat corneal grafts.