OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dynamic changes and relationship of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and apoptosis in endotoxin shock rats, as well as the effects of Sini injection. METHODS: In total, 102 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group (n = 6, NG), sham operation group (n = 24, OG), model group (n = 24, MG), dexamethasone group (n = 24, DG), and Sini group (n = 24, SG). The endotoxin shock model was induced by an intravenous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (8 mg/kg). Rats in the OG, MG, DG, and SG groups were further divided into 4 groups: 1, 2, 3 and 6 h after shock groups (n = 6 per group). iNOS expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Mediated Deoxyuridine Triphosphate-biotin Nick End Labeling was employed to measure apoptosis. RESULTS: No iNOS expression was found in the OG group. Compared with the OG group, iNOS expression in the MG group was markedly elevated, reached a peak at 1 h (P < 0.01), decreased at 2 and 3 h, and rebounded at 6 h. Compared with the MG group, iNOS expression decreased significantly in both the DG (P < 0.05) and SG (P < 0.01) groups at 6 h. The number of apoptotic cells in the MG group was markedly increased than that in the NG and OG (P < 0.01) groups, and reached a peak at 6 h. The number of apoptotic cells in the DG group at 1 and 2 h (P < 0.01) and SG group at 2, 3 and 6 h (P < 0.01) decreased when compared with the MG group. CONCLUSION: Sini injection can significantly inhibit NO generation, which decreases apoptosis and subsequently protects the brain from endotoxic shock.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dynamic changes and relationship of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and apoptosis in endotoxin shock rats, as well as the effects of Sini injection. METHODS: In total, 102 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group (n = 6, NG), sham operation group (n = 24, OG), model group (n = 24, MG), dexamethasone group (n = 24, DG), and Sini group (n = 24, SG). The endotoxin shock model was induced by an intravenous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (8 mg/kg). Rats in the OG, MG, DG, and SG groups were further divided into 4 groups: 1, 2, 3 and 6 h after shock groups (n = 6 per group). iNOS expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Mediated Deoxyuridine Triphosphate-biotin Nick End Labeling was employed to measure apoptosis. RESULTS: No iNOS expression was found in the OG group. Compared with the OG group, iNOS expression in the MG group was markedly elevated, reached a peak at 1 h (P < 0.01), decreased at 2 and 3 h, and rebounded at 6 h. Compared with the MG group, iNOS expression decreased significantly in both the DG (P < 0.05) and SG (P < 0.01) groups at 6 h. The number of apoptotic cells in the MG group was markedly increased than that in the NG and OG (P < 0.01) groups, and reached a peak at 6 h. The number of apoptotic cells in the DG group at 1 and 2 h (P < 0.01) and SG group at 2, 3 and 6 h (P < 0.01) decreased when compared with the MG group. CONCLUSION:Sini injection can significantly inhibit NO generation, which decreases apoptosis and subsequently protects the brain from endotoxic shock.