Objective: To investigate the regulating effects of serum containing total anthraquinone in rheum on the expression of AQP4 in cultured LoVo cells in vitro.
Method: Sixteen SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups respectively treated with 0, 1.4, 2.5, 4.5 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) of total anthraquinone in rheum by intragastric administration. After 7 days of treatment, the rats were anesthetized and celiotomized to prepare the serum containing total anthraquinone in rheum. LoVo cells cultured in vitro were treated with different concentrations of total anthraquinone in rheum for 24 h. The expression levels of protein and mRNA of AQP4 IN LoVo cells were decided by Western blot and semiquantive RT-PCR.
Result: Western blot and semiquantive RT-PCR showed that serum containing total anthraquinone in rheum prepared from rats treated with 4.5 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) of total anthraquinone in rheum could inhibit the expression of mRNA and protein levels of AQP 4 in LoVo cells (P<0.01).
Conclusion: Serum containing total anthraquinone in rheum can inhibit both the transcription and translation of AQP4 gene, indicating that the regulation mechanism of rhubarb on the expression of AQP4 can be related to the cathartic effect of rhubarb.