Shashen-Maidong Decoction-Mediated IFN-γ and IL-4 on the Regulation of Th1Th2 Imbalance in RP Rats

Abstract EN

Objective.

Studying correlative changes of Th1/Th2 (Th, Helper T cells) related factor Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and Interleukin-4 (IL-4) in the progression of radiation pneumonia (RP) rats and the efficacy of Shashen-Maidong decoction on these indexes to explore the immune mechanism of the decoction on the prevention and treatment of RP.

Methods.

Male 60 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups.

In addition to the normal control group taking saline, the other rats were set up RP model treated with Shashen-Maidong decoction or dexamethasone (DXM), respectively.

The IFN-γ and IL-4 concentrations in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of rats were tested in the 2nd and 4th week after radiation, and the relative ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 was calculated.

Results.

(1) There was significant difference of serum IL-4 concentrations in group B (p<0.01) and extreme difference in groups C and D (p<0.001) compared with group A in 4th week.

Compared with group D, IL-4 concentrations in group B increased significantly in both 2nd and 4th week (p<0.01).

Group B had significantly decreased IFN-γ concentrations in BALF (p<0.001) compared with group D in the 4th week.

And IFN-γ concentrations in BALF in group B were increased compared with group C in the 4th week (p<0.05).

(2) There was no difference of the relative ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 at each time in groups B and A for both serum and BALF, while the ratios in groups C and D in 4th week in BALF were increased (p<0.05) compared to group A.

Conclusion.

Shashen-Maidong decoction can improve the immune function of RP rats by increasing IFN-γ concentration and decreasing IL-4 concentration, possibly by increasing the relative ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 to regulate the immune imbalance of Th1/Th2.