[Rhubarb induced change of tumor necrosis factor-alpha level in guinea pig model of melanosis coli and its significance].

OBJECTIVE

To study the induced change of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) level in serum and colon tissue of guinea pig model with melanosis coli and its significance induced by rhubarb (RB).

METHODS

One hundred and twelve guinea pigs of clean grade were randomly divided into four groups: the 16 in the normal group (untreated) and the 3 RB groups (32 in each) treated with low (3 g/kg d), medium (6 g/kg d), and high (12 g/kg d) dose of rhubarb respectively, administered by gastrogavage for 60 successive days. All guinea pigs were sacrificed at the terminal of the experiment and their blood serum and colon tissue were taken for detecting TNF-alpha level and TNF-alpha mRNA expression qualitatively and quantitatively using ELISA and RT-PCR.

RESULTS

Compared with the normal group, serum and colonic tissue levels of TNF-alpha and TNF-alpha mRNA expression in the RB groups were higher significantly (P<0.01), while no significant difference was found among the later three groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

RB could induce change of TNF-alpha level in serum and colon tissue of guinea pig with melanosis coli.