Effects of total glucosides of peony on AQP-5 and its mRNA expression in submandibular glands of NOD mice with Sjogren’s syndrome

G.-L. Wu, X.-H. Pu, G.-Y. Yu, T.-Y. Li

Department of Chinese Traditional Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Medical College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. tianyilicn@yeah.net

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• Pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to observe the effects of total glucosides of peony (TGP) on pathological change, Aquaporin-5 (AQP-5) and its mRNA expression in submandibular glands of non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice with Sjogren’s Syndrome, to investigate its regulation on secretion of salivary glands.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 40 NOD mice were randomly divided into model group, TGP group, hydroxychloroquine group, combination group (n = 10). For TGP group, the mice were intragastrically administrated with 0.4 ml TGP dilution per day in accordance with 300 g/kg dose; for hydroxychloroquine group, the mice were intragastrically administrated with 0.4 ml hydroxychloroquine per day in accordance with 60 mg/kg dose; for the combination group, the mice were intragastrically administrated with 0.4 ml TGP dilution and 0.4 ml hydroxychloroquine. 8 weeks later, the mice were sacrificed, and submandibular glands were collected by anatomy. Pathological changes of submandibular gland were observed under a light microscope; AQP-5 protein in submandibular glands was detected by immunohistochemical staining; and AQP-5 mRNA expression in submandibular glands was detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTS: The lymphocytic infiltration score of model mice was significantly higher than that of other groups. The pathological morphology and score of NOD mice were significantly improved after administration, and the combination group was superior to the hydroxychloroquine group and TGP group (p < 0.05). AQP-5 mRNA expression level of the model group was lower than other groups (p < 0.05); the expression levels in the TGP group and the combination group were higher than the hydroxychloroquine group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: TGP may improve pathological damage of submandibular glands of NOD mouse with Sjogren’s syndrome by upregulating AQP-5 and its mRNA expression in submandibular glands.

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