Intervention effects and related mechanisms of glycyrrhizic acid on zebrafish with Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis

BACKGROUND The prevention and treatment of Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis (HAEC) is a serious challenge in pediatric surgery. Exploring the mechanism of HAEC is conducive to the prevention of this disease. AIM To explore the possible mechanism of glycyrrhizic acid (GA) and its therapeutic effect on HAEC. METHODS We developed a model of enteritis induced by trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) in zebrafish, and treated it with different concentrations of GA. We analyzed the effect of GA on the phenotype and inflammation of zebrafish. RESULTS After treatment with TNBS, the area of the intestinal lumen in zebrafish was significantly increased, but the number of goblet cells in the intestinal lumen was significantly reduced, but these did not increase the mortality of zebrafish, indicating that the zebrafish enteritis model was successfully developed. Different concentrations of GA protected zebrafish with enteritis. In particular, high concentrations of GA were important for the prevention and control of HAEC because it significantly reduced the intestinal luminal area, increased the number of goblet cells in the intestinal lumen, and reduced the levels of interleukin (IL)-1 beta and IL-8. CONCLUSION GA significantly reduced the intestinal luminal area, increased the number of intestinal goblet cells, and decreased IL-1 beta and IL-8 in zebrafish, and is important for prevention and control of HAEC.