[The effect of necrostatin-1 on expression of liver monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in septic rats].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) on the expression of liver monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in septic rats and its mechanism.

METHODS

Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham group, model group, and Nec-1 group by randomized digital number method, with 16 rats in each group. The model of sepsis was reproduced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Rats in sham group received anesthesia, and flipping the cecum followed by closure of the abdomen without ligation of the cecum. Rats in Nec-1 group were given 1 mg/kg Nec-1 [25 mg Nec-1 solution dissolved in 2.5 mL of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)] through caudal vein 30 minutes before operation, while the rats in model group were given 0.1 mL/kg of DMSO only. Blood from abdominal aorta and liver tissue in each group were collected at 0 hour and 8 hours after operation. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined with automatic biochemistry analyzer. The pathological changes in liver were observed under light microscope using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The MCP-1 mRNA expression in the liver was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

There was no significant differences in the levels of serum ALT, AST, TNF-α, IL-6 and expressions of liver MCP-1 mRNA at 0 hour among three groups, and the liver cellular structure was normal. At 8 hours, compared with sham group, the expressions of serum ALT, AST, TNF-α, IL-6 and liver MCP-1 mRNA were significantly increased in model group and Nec-1 group [ALT (U/L): 172.35±21.88, 129.67±18.20 vs. 60.04±11.74, AST (U/L): 511.03±34.92, 363.51±25.25 vs. 254.83±31.04, TNF-α(ng/L): 603.96±24.18, 483.87±26.60 vs. 265.74±15.14, IL-6 (ng/L): 975.62±65.37, 712.09±45.47 vs. 310.42±13.88, MCP-1 mRNA (2-ΔΔCt): 7.09±0.18, 5.51±0.45 vs. 0.99±0.06, all P < 0.05]. Levels of the above parameters in Nec-1 group at 8 hours were significantly decreased compared with those of model group (all P < 0.05). Under light microscopy, it was noted that the structure of hepatic lobules was destroyed, with exacerbation of immunocyte infiltration at 8 hours in model group. At 8 hours, it was found that Nec-1 alleviated the pathological damage in Nec-1 group.

CONCLUSION

Nec-1 can protect the liver of rats with sepsis, lower the expression of serum TNF-α and serum IL-6 and liver MCP-1 mRNA, and obviously reduce the damage of inflammation.