Abstract: Objective To explore the effects of Pulsatilla decoction(BTWD)on the intestinal permeability and intestinal flora structure in mice with short bowel syndrome(SBS). Methods Kunming mice were randomly divided into the sham group, model group, high-dose group, medium-dose group, and low-dose group. Mice in the sham group underwent jejunal transection anastomosis, while in the other groups, the middle small intestine of mice were resected to establish the SBS models. In the sham and model groups, saline was instilled by gavage starting from the 2nd postoperative day. In the other groups, equal volume of BTWD with different concentrations was instilled by gavage. After 4 weeks of treatment, the mice were sacrificed. The pathological morphology of ileal tissue was observed with HE staining; the protein expressions of occludin and ZO-1 were determined with immunohistochemistry; the levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)were detected with ELISA; the intestinal flora was analyzed with 16S rDNA sequencing. Results Compared with the model group, the high-, medium-, and low-dose groups showed dose-dependently reduced ileal mucosal inflammatory cell infiltration; the ileal villus height, circular muscle thickness and longitudinal muscle thickness were significantly increased; the crypt depth was significantly reduced(P<0.05); the protein expressions of ileal occludin and ZO-1 were significantly increased(P<0.01); the serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels were significantly decreased(P<0.01). Analysis of intestinal flora showed that BTWD significantly regulated the relative abundance of phylum and genus. Conclusion BTWD can improve the intestinal mucosal structure, repair the intestinal mucosal barrier, regulate the relative abundance of phyla, and increase the diversity of intestinal flora.

Key words: Pulsatilla decoction, Short bowel syndrome, Intestinal permeability, Intestinal flora