Jun Li¹, Fu-Xiang Li², Jian-Xiang Che³, Xiao-Hong Wei⁴, Qing-Ming Qiu³, Peng Zha¹, Shu-Rong Bai¹, Xu-Dong Tang⁵, Tao Chen⁶

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate effects of neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) on stress and inflammation in rats with partial hepatectomy (PH).

Methods: A model of PH rat was established, and serum C-reactive protein (CRP); corticosterone (GC); adrenocorticotropin (ACTH); noradrenaline (NA); adrenalin (AD); aspartate transaminase (AST); alanine transaminase (ALT); as well as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α); interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6; high mobility group box1 (HMGB1); and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations in serum assessed after PH. Additionally, Western blotting was performed to determine the effect of NCPB on expressions of glucocorticoid receptors (GR), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (IκB), p65, c-Jun and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) of PH rats, as well as assay effects of NCPB on nuclear translocation of GR, c-Jun and p65. DNA binding activities of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and activator protein 1 (AP-1) were also determined.

Results: NCPB reduced AST and ALT (P < 0.05), decreased secretion of inflammatory cytokines and NO (P < 0.05), as well as decreased CRP, GC, ACTH, NA and AD after PH (p < 0.05). NCPB increased expressions of GR and IκB, but expressions of p65, c-Jun, and iNOS (p < 0.05). Additionally, NCPB increased nuclear translocation of GR (p < 0.01), but decreased nuclear translocation of p65 and c-Jun after PH (p < 0.05). Additionally, DNA binding activity of NF-κB and AP-1 was decreased by NCPB (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The results indicate that NCPB treatment can significantly inhibit stress and inflammation in PH rats.