Rikkunshito increases peripheral incretin-hormone levels in humans and rats

Hiroshi Kono; Shinji Furuya; Hidenori Akaike; Katsutoshi Shoda; Yoshihiko Kawaguchi; Hidetake Amemiya; Hiromichi Kawaida; Daisuke Ichikawa

doi:10.5662/wjm.v14.i1.88518

Rikkunshito increases peripheral incretin-hormone levels in humans and rats

World J Methodol. 2024 Mar 20;14(1):88518. doi: 10.5662/wjm.v14.i1.88518.

Authors

Hiroshi Kono¹, Shinji Furuya², Hidenori Akaike², Katsutoshi Shoda², Yoshihiko Kawaguchi², Hidetake Amemiya², Hiromichi Kawaida², Daisuke Ichikawa²

Affiliations

¹ The First Department of Surgery, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan. hkouno@yamanashi.ac.jp.
² The First Department of Surgery, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan.

Abstract

Background: It was reported that rikkunshito (TJ-43) improved the cisplatin-induced decreases in the active form of ghrelin in plasma; however, other effects on gastrointestinal hormones have not been investigated.

Aim: To investigate the effects of TJ-43 on peripheral levels of incretin hormones, including gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like polypeptide-1 (GLP-1), in humans and rats.

Methods: Patients were divided into two groups, namely patients who received TJ-43 immediately following surgery [TJ-43(+) group] and those who received TJ-43 on postoperative day 21 [TJ-43(-) group], and the plasma levels of active GIP and active GLP-1 were assessed. In animal experiments, rats were treated with TJ-43 [rat (r)TJ-43(+) group] or without [rTJ-43(-) group] by gavage for 4 wk, and the plasma active GIP and active GLP-1 levels were measured. The expression of incretin hormones in the gastrointestinal tract and insulin in the pancreas were investigated by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, the cyclic adenosine monophosphate activities were assessed in pancreatic tissues from rats treated with or without TJ-43 in vivo, and the blood glucose levels and plasma insulin levels were measured in rats treated with or without TJ-43 in oral glucose tolerance tests.

Results: In humans, the active incretin hormone levels increased, and values were significantly greater in the TJ-43(+) group compared those in the TJ-43(-) group. In rats, the plasma active incretin levels significantly increased in the rTJ-43(+) group compared with those in the rTJ-43(-) group. GIP and GLP-1 expressions were enhanced by TJ-43 treatment. Moreover, plasma insulin levels increased and blood glucose levels were blunted in the rTJ-43(+) group.

Conclusion: The results show that TJ-43 may be beneficial for patients who undergo pancreatic surgery.

Keywords: Gastric inhibitory polypeptide; Glucagon-like polypeptide-1; Incretin hormone; Insulin; Islet cells; Japanese traditional herbal medicine.