Objective:

2

To investigate the effect of Modified Xiaochaihu Decoction (MXD

加味小柴胡汤) on collagen degradation in rats with chronic pancreatitis (CP).

Methods:

2

Rats were injected dibutyltin dichloride (DBTC

7 mg/kg of body weight) into the right caudal vein to induce CP model. Thirty heallhy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups by a random number table: the control

the model and the treatment groups. Rats of treatment group were administered MXD (10 g/kg of body weight) orally once daily starting from the day post-model establishment. Pancreatic tissues were harvested after 28-day feeding and fibrosis was evaluated by picro-sirius red staining. The contents of collagen type Ⅰ and Ⅲ were detected using enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) was analyzed by Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results:

2

The fibrosis scoring of pancreatic tissues

the concentrations of collagen type Ⅰ and Ⅲ

the expression levels of MMP13 and TIMP1 proteins and mRNA in the model group were all increased compared with the control group (

P

<

0.05). After treatment with MXD

the fibrosis scoring of pancreatic tissues

the concentrations of collagen type Ⅰ and Ⅲ

the expression levels of MMP13 proteins and mRNA in the teatment group were all decreased compared with the model group (

P

<

0.05)

but there were no significant differences in the expression levels of TIMP1 proteins and mRNA (

P

>

0.05).

Conclusion:

2

MXD could promote collagen degradation and reverse pancreatic fibrosis in CP rats via a mechanism involve up-regulation of MMP13 expression.