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 mi- croflora, 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 ( n = 7) for liver ische- mia for 20 minutes and reperfusion for 22 hours. Group was also pretreated with 4 ml/day of Salvia miltiorrhiza solu- tion (250 mg/kg) by daily gavage for 7 days. The levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate amino- transferase (AST), malondialdehyde ( MDA) and supero- xide 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 (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 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 sig- nificantly in group (318.47±64.62 U/mg-prot) than in group U/mg-prot, P<0.05). The counts of Bifidobacteria and Bacteroides increased more significantly in group than in group but were similar to those in group I. Bacterial translocation to the kidney in group 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 as compared with group CONCLUSIONS: Salviae miltiorrhiza could partially restore intestinal microflora balance, improve intestinal mucosal integrity, and reduce bacterial translocation and plasma en- dotoxin in rats with hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury.