OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Yangyin Yiqi Huoxue Recipe (YYHR) on expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and immune balance of Th1/Th2 in serum and submaxillary glands of non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice with Sjogren's syndrome (SS), and to explore its mechanisms.

METHODSTotally 32 NOD mice were randomly into 4 groups, i.e., the model group, the Chinese medicine group [CM, administered with YYHR at the dose of 0.4 mL by gavage (100 g/kg)], the Western medicine group [WM group, administered with hydroxychloroquine 0.4 mL by gavage (60 mg/kg)], and the combined group [administered with YYHR (50 g/kg) and hydroxychloroquine (60 mg/kg) 0.4 mL by gavage], 8 mice in each group. Eight Balb/C mice were recruited as the normal control group. Mice were sacrificed to withdraw blood after 8 weeks. The submaxillary gland was excised. Serum levels of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 were detected by ELISA. Protein expression of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 in submaxillary glands was detected by SP method.

RESULTSCompared with the normal group, levels of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 in serum and submaxillary glands all increased in the model group (P < 0.05). Levels of IFN-gamma and IL-10 in serum in the CM group and the combined group were lower than those of the WM group (P < 0.05). Serum levels of IFN-gamma and IL-2 in submaxillary glands in combined group were lower than those of the WM group (P < 0.05). The ratio of IFN-gamma/IL-4 in serum and submaxillary glands in the model group were higher than that of the rest groups (P < 0.05). Besides, it was the nearest to that of the normal group.

CONCLUSIONSYYHR could decrease the levels of Th1 and Th2 related cytokines and the ratio of IFN-gamma/IL-4 in serum and submaxillary glands of NOD mice with SS. It could achieve therapeutic effects through adjusting immune balance of Th1/Th2 in SS mice.