The aim of this study is to investigate the role of complement-neutrophil feedback regulation of inflammatory response in Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) through constructing an animal model of HSP.

Twenty-four SPF grade Japanese large-eared white rabbits were randomly divided into normal group and model group, 12 for each group. HSP model was constructed by challenging rabbits with gastric gavage of a decoction solution containing ginger, Piper longum L. and pepper, intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin (OVA)-Freund's adjuvant and intravenous injection at marginal ear vein and subcutaneous injection in the back of rabbits with OVA normal saline solution. Changes in general conditions of rabbits including food intake, water intake and body temperature as well as alterations in blood routine, urine routine, reactive oxygen species (ROS), inflammatory cytokines and complement were compared between two groups. In the meantime, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC)and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment was used to manipulate ROS level and determined the changes in aforementioned parameters.

After sensitization, rabbits of the model group displayed significantly elevated body temperature, apathy, reduced physical activity, significantly decreased water and food intake compared to the situations before sensitization (p<0.05). Significant pathological changes were observed in these rabbits through HE staining study. Furthermore, blood levels of white blood cells (WBC), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), neutrophils (NEU) and NEU% were significantly increased, whereas levels of red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), eosinophils (EOS) and EOS% were significantly decreased (p<0.05). No significant alterations were observed in levels of mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and platelet (PLT) (p>0.05). Urine with mucus and a strong odor was observed in model rabbits. Proteinuria occurred in 66.67% of model rabbits, hematuria in 58.33% and presence of WBC in the urine in 25%. Also, levels of ROS, inflammatory cytokines, tumor growth factor (TGF)-β, complement and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were significantly increased in model rabbits. After the treatment of ROS inhibitor, NAC, levels of these parameters were significantly decreased (p<0.05), but significantly increased after treatment of H2O2, the ROS agonist (p<0.05).

Complement-neutrophil feedback regulation of inflammatory response plays important roles in the pathogenesis of HSP, and inhibition of ROS can suppress the development and progression of HSP.