Effect of Supplementary Sijunzi Decoction on the Tissue Morphology and EGF Expression of Small Intestine in Splenic Asthenia Canines

PurposeThe present study was conducted to investigate the effects of supplementary Sijunzi decoction on the tissue morphology and EGF expression of small intestine in splenic asthenia canines.

MethodTwenty-four one-year-old beagles were selected and randomly divided into four groups (6 canines in each group). The four groups were control group, splenic asthenia group, natural recovery group and Chinese medicine recovery group, respectively. The canines in control group were fed a basal diet. The canines in splenic asthenia group, natural recovery group and Chinese medicine recovery group were fed with Senna at 6 mL/kg a day. On the 7^th day, the canines in splenic asthenia group were dissected for collecting samples, the canines in Chinese medicine recovery group were fed a basal diet with 2% supplementary Sijunzi decoction, and in natural recovery group were fed a basal diet. On the 14^th day, all canines were dissected for collecting samples. Duodenum, jejunum and ileum of canines were collected to measure villus length, crypt depth and V/C values after HE staining and to detect EGF protein expression and EGF mRNA relative expression levels in small intestine.

ResultCompared with the canines in control group, the diffuse congestion and edema appeared in the small intestinal mucosa of canines in splenic asthenia group, and a large amount of mucous oozed out. The villi were sparser and shorter in small intestines, villus length extremely significantly decreased (P<0.01), crypt depth extremely significantly increased (P<0.01), V/C of duodenum and ileum significantly decreased (P<0.05) and V/C of jejunum extremely significantly decreased (P<0.01). EGF protein expression in small intestine significantly decreased (P<0.05) and EGF mRNA relative expression levels in small intestine extremely significantly decreased (P<0.01). After treating by supplementary Sijunzi decoction, the above indexes of the canines in Chinese medicine recovery group recovered close to the control group.

ConclusionSupplementary Sijunzi decoction can improve the tissue morphology, EGF protein expression and EGF mRNA relative expression levels in small intestine, and has obvious effects on treating the canines with splenic asthenia syndrome.