Tangshen Formula Attenuates Colonic Structure Remodeling in Type 2 Diabetic Rats.

Aim. This study investigated the effect and mechanism of the Chinese herbal medicine Tangshen Formula (TSF) on GI structure remodeling in the rat model of diabetes. Methods. Type 2 diabetic ratswere used. Wetweight per unit length, layer thicknesses, levels of collagens I and III, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor-1 (TGF-beta 1), and Smad2/3 expression in the rat colon were measured. Results. Compared with the control group animals, wet weight and layer thicknesses of the colon increased, and expressions of collagens I and III, NF-kappa B, IFN-gamma, IL-6, TGF-beta 1, and Smad2/3 increased significantly in the diabetic animals. TSF inhibited increase in colonic wet weight and layer thicknesses, downregulated expressions of collagens I and III in themucosal layer, and downregulated expressions ofNF-kappa B, IFN-gamma, IL-6, TGF-beta 1 and Smad2/3 in the colon wall. Furthermore, level of expression of NF-kappa B was associated with those of TGF-beta 1 and Smad2/3. Expression of TGF beta 1 was associated with the most histomorphometric parameters including colonic weight, mucosal and muscle thicknesses, and levels of collagens I and III in mucosal layer. Conclusion. TSF appears to attenuate colonic structure remodeling in type 2 diabetic rats through inhibiting the overactivated pathway of NF-kappa B, thus reducing expressions of TGF-beta 1.