Establishment of mouse model of qi-deficiency gastrointestinal failure

Abstract

This study aimed to prepare an animal model of qi-deficiency gastrointestinal failure, and verify feasibility of the model. One hundred and twenty healthy adult male ICR mice were randomly divided into a control group (24 mice), a placebo group (24 mice), and an experimental group (72 mice). Mice in the control group were given a normal diet for 10 days, those in the placebo group were additionally given normal saline solution at 4°C for 10 days, and mice in the experimental group were additionally given 4°C supersaturated sodium sulfate solution for 10 days. After 10 days, mice in the experimental group were randomly divided into three subgroups: a model group, a self-healing group and a Sijunzi decoction group, with 24 mice in each group. Mice in the model group were immediately sacrificed, those in the Sijunzi decoction group were fed with Sijunzi decoction for 7 days, and mice in the self-healing group were given the same amount of normal saline for 7 days. Mice in each group were randomly divided into three subgroups, namely, pathological group, immunohistochemistry group and toner propelling test group, with 8 mice in each subgroup. The general condition of mice in the toner propelling test group was observed. The changes of intestinal villi, intestinal gland and intestinal epithelial cells in the intestinal mucosa of mice in the pathological group were observed. In the immunohistochemical group, apoptosis and 5-HT of the intestinal epithelial cells were detected. All indicators were found to be significantly different from those of the normal control group. After 7 days of traditional Chinese medicine treatment, mice in the Sijunzi decoction group had gained weight, reduced stool, and increased gastrointestinal propulsion index, and the pathological damage scores of intestinal mucosa were decreased. In conclusion, the mouse model of qi-deficiency gastrointestinal failure was successfully established, which is a reliable, stable and simple method to investigate the disease.