[Animal Modeling] - Based on SDF-1/CXCR4 axis, observe the effect of Jisheng Shenqi Decoction on the homing of BMSCs in cirrhotic rats

  Objective To investigate the effect of Jisheng Shenqi Decoction on the homing efficiency of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells through the 4 axis of stromal cell derived factor-1/CXC chemokine receptors, and to analyze the mechanism of its combination with BMSCs transplantation in the treatment of liver cirrhosis.

  Methods A cirrhosis model of SD rats was established by intraperitoneal injection of 40% carbon tetrachloride olive oil solution combined with composite factors. Thirty rats that successfully established the model were randomly divided into model group, BMSCs transplantation group (BMSCs group), BMSCs transplantation combined with Jisheng Shenqi decoction group (combined group), with 10 rats in each group. The other 10 normal rats were set as normal groups, a total of 4 groups. The BMSCs group and the combined group were injected with fluorescent labeled BMSCs through the tail vein after modeling. The combined group was also given Jisheng Shenqi Decoction by gavage, while the normal group and the model group were not treated. After 4 weeks of medication, observe the liver function indicators and pathological changes in liver tissue of rats in each group, observe the homing of BMSCs in liver tissue of rats in each group under a fluorescence microscope, and detect the changes in serum stem cell factor, hepatocyte growth factor, granulocyte colony stimulating factor, and erythropoietin levels of rats in each group by ELISA. Immunohistochemical method is used to detect the expression of SDF-1, CXCR4 proteins.

  Results Under the light microscope, liver fibrosis in the model group was significant, with a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrating. However, the degree of fibrosis and inflammatory activity in the BMSCs group and the combined group were improved to varying degrees compared to the model group. Compared with the normal group, the model group had serum alanine aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin γ- Glutamine transpeptidase was significantly increased, while albumin was significantly decreased (P<0.05) Compared with the model group, both the BMSCs group and the combined group improved to varying degrees compared to the model group (P<0.05) 05)。 Compared with BMSCs, the number of homing BMSCs in the combined group was greater than that in the BMSCs group under the same multiple visual field (P<0.05) 05)。 Compared with the model group, the expressions of SCF, HGF, GCSF, and EPO in serum of rats in the BMSCs group and the combination group increased to varying degrees, and the expressions of SCF, HGF, GCSF, and EPO in the combination group were higher than those in the BMSCs group (P<0. 05) 05)。 Immunohistochemical results showed that the expression of SDF-1 and CXCR4 proteins in the liver tissue of rats in the BMSCs group and the combination group was higher than that in the model group, while the expression level in the combination group was higher than that in the BMSCs group (P<0.05) 05)。

  Conclusion Jisheng Shenqi Decoction can activate the SDF-1/CXCR4 biological axis, upregulate the expression of related proteins and upstream regulatory factors, promote the homing of BMSCs to injured liver tissue, and improve liver function and cirrhosis degree in cirrhotic rats.