Effects of LPS-induced cholangitis on the cytoskeleton morphology of bile duct epithelium and the intervention mechanism of Dahuang Lingxian formula for these changes

Objective: To observe the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on cytoskeleton and the effect of Dahuang Lingxianfang on nF-KB /MAPK signaling pathway. Methods: Biliary epithelial cells of each group were stained with photolipin fluorescent staining, and the arrangement of cytoskeleton was observed under laser confocal microscope. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of f-actin. Results: After LPS intervention, the biliary epithelial cells showed nuclear shrinkage or damage, and the skeleton was broken or lumped. The cytoskeleton was partially repaired after the intervention of pathway blocking preparation combined with RHUbarb Lingxianfang. All the other groups had different degree of cytoskeleton fracture. Compared with normal group, the expression of F-actin protein in LPS group was decreased (P < 0.05); Compared with LPS group, the expression of F-actin in LPS+ TCM group, LPS+PDTC+ TCM group, LPS+SB203580+ TCM group and LPS+PDTC+SB203580+ TCM group was significantly increased (P < 0.05); Compared with traditional Chinese medicine group, the expression of F-actin in LPS+PDTC+ traditional Chinese medicine group, LPS+SB203580+ traditional Chinese medicine group and LPS+PDTC+SB203580+ traditional Chinese medicine group had no significant difference (P > 0.05). Conclusion: RHUbarb Lingxianfang can restore the sequence of biliary epithelial cytoskeleton and protect its microfilament structure under inflammation, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of NF-KB /MAPK signaling pathway.