Effect of Simo decoction on the related protein expression of NLRP3 inflammatory complex in the cecum of rats with intestinal adhesion

Objective To investigate the effect of Simo decoction on the related protein expression of NLRP3 inflammatory complex in the cecum of rats with intestinal adhesion. Methods Forty-five healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, and treatment group with 15 cases in each group. The intestinal adhesion model was made by Ellis method in model group and treatment group. After the model was established, the treatment group received gavage with Simo decoction (1 ml/100 g), while the control group and model group received gavage with equivalent amount of normal saline for 7 days. According to Nair's method, the degree of intestinal adhesion was graded; the cecum tissue was taken, and Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and IL-1β. Results The degree of adhesion of the model group was significantly increased, and the higher expressions of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and IL-1β were found obviously in cecum tissue compared with the control group (P<0.05). The treatment group had a significant reduction in the degree of adhesion compared with the model group, the protein expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and IL-1β in the treatment group were markedly reduced (P<0.05). Conclusion The formation of intestinal adhesion may be related to the expression of related proteins of NLRP3 inflammatory complex. Simo decoction can reduce the degree of intestinal adhesion by reducing the expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and IL-1β in the cecum tissue of rats. Key words: Simo decoction; Intestinal adhesion; Nucleotide binding oligomerization domain-like receptor 3 (NLRP3); Caspase-1; Interleukin-1β (IL-1β)