Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Meentzen, C.
The Influence of Zeng Ye Tang on the Intestinal Epithelium
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Medizinische Universität Graz; 2022. pp. 67
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Brislinger Dagmar
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- Abstract:
- Zeng Ye Tang is an important herbal preparation used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of constipation for centuries. The present study examined the effect of Zeng Ye Tang on the intestinal mucosa and its mucus production. To generate a colon epithelium, the colon carcinoma cell lines CaCo2 and HT29 were cultivated in a ratio of 3:1. In order to simulate physiological conditions, we used an air- liquid interface (ALI) culture, in which the cells are cultivated in cell culture inserts with a permeable polycarbonate membrane. The apical compartment is exposed to the air and the cells are supplied with cell culture media from the basolateral side. As a result, the cells differentiate in a maximum of three weeks and develop a basoapical polarity. This leads to a structured cell layer with mucus producing goblet cells. After the cells had been cultivated, Zeng Ye Tang was added to the tissue in various concentrations and for different incubation times. The microscopic examination of the tissue and the computer-based evaluation of the microscopy images with the CellProfiler software showed versatile results. However, the intensity of the mucus was in some cases significantly reduced in the tissue samples treated with Zeng Ye Tang. This indicates a higher mucus production. In addition, in all samples the tissue increased in thickness with a higher concentration of Zeng Ye Tang. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of various mucins occurring in the colon (MUC2, MUC5AC and MUC5B) was determined in the tissue samples using qPCR. The samples treated with Zeng Ye Tang showed a partially significant increase in the mucin mRNA expression. Overall, the traditional Chinese formula Zeng Ye Tang seems to have a beneficial impact on the intestinal epithelium and the mucus production. However, in the future further in vitro and in vivo experiments will be necessary to demonstrate effects on the intestinal epithelium as well as to identify possible side effects.