Effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza on intestinal microflora in rats with ischemia/reperfusion liver injury.

Background: Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury may induce intestinal microflora imbalance. Salvia miltiorrhiza is effective in promoting blood circulation and counteracting peroxidation in tissues. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza on intestinal microflora, endotoxemia, and bacterial translocation in rats with hepatic I/R injury.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats in specific pathogen free grade were divided into 3 groups: group I(n=6) for sham operation; groups II(n=10) and III(n=7) for liver ischemia for 20 minutes and reperfusion for 22 hours. Group III was also pretreated with 4 ml/day of Salvia miltiorrhiza solution (250 mg/kg) by daily gavage for 7 days. The levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) in liver tissues, serum endotoxin, intestinal bacterial counts, intestinal mucosal histology and bacterial translocation were studied.

Results: The levels of ALT, AST, plasma endotoxin and MDA in liver tissues were decreased more markedly in group III (57.57+/-18.08 U/L, 147.57+/-40.84 U/L, 0.42+/-0.144 EU/ml and 0.52+/-0.19 nmol/mg-prot respectively) in group II(122.8+/-80.12 U/L, 295.9+/-216.92 U/L, 0.80+/-0.262 EU/ml and 0.72+/-0.12 nmol/mg-prot; P<0.05-0.01 respectively). Liver SOD activity was increased more significantly in group III (318.47+/-64.62 U/mg-prot) than in group II(240.76+/-63.67 U/mg-prot, P<0.05). The counts of Bifidobacteria and Bacteroides increased more significantly in group III than in group II, but were similar to those in group I. Bacterial translocation to the kidney in group II was 50%(5/10), whereas no bacterial translocation to the kidney occurred in the other two groups (P<0.01). Ileal mucosal structure was markedly ameliorated in group III as compared with group II.

Conclusions: Salviae miltiorrhiza could partially restore intestinal microflora balance, improve intestinal mucosal integrity, and reduce bacterial translocation and plasma endotoxin in rats with hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury.