Treatment of Cancer Cachexia in Mice by Berberine in Conjunction with Glutamide

Objective To investigate the improvement effect and the mechanism of berberine in conjunction with glutamine in treating cancer cachexia.Methods Tumor-bearing mouse models with cancer cachexia were constructed using BALB/c mice by subcutaneous injection of mouse C-26 colon cancer cell lines.These mice were divided into 5 groups:Groups A(non-tumor-bearing mice),B(tumor-bearing mice without intervention),C(tumor-bearing mice with berberine intervention),D(tumor-bearing mice with glutamine intervention)and E(tumor-bearing mice with intervention of berberine in conjunction with glutamine).Berberine,glutamine,and berberine in conjunction with glutamine,at the same dosage[25 mg/(kg·/d)]were given by gavage in mice in groups C,D and E respectively.Their food intakes and body masses were recorded for two consecutive weeks.Differences in tumor masses,biochemical indices,serum interleukin1(IL-1),IL-6 and tumor neucrosis factor(TNF)were measured and compared among all groups.Intervention effects of berberine in conjunction with glutamine on progression of cancer cachexia were observed.Results Compared with group B,decrease in body mass and biochemical indices were significantly improved and expression levels of serum cytokines(IL-1,IL-6 and TNF)were decreased in tumor-bearing mice in groups C,D and E(P0.05).Indices in group E were superior to those in groups C and D.Conclusion Oral administration of berberine in conjunction with glutamine can improve conditions of cancer-cachectic mice effectively.The possible mechanism is related to decreased expression of cytokines,which should be further studied and extended.