OBJECTIVETo study the variation of TFAR-19 protein expression and Annexin-V apoptosis protein proportion in the mice thymus cell apoptosis procedure induced by water platform environment or electric emotional stress and the regulatory effect of Modified Xiaoyao Pill (MXP).

METHODSThe mouse emotional stress model was established by water platform equipment or electrical stimulation. The serum glucocorticoid was detected by radioimmunoassay, the TFAR-19 protein was detected by flow cytometry analysis, and Annexin-V apoptosis protein proportion was calculated by immunofluorescence technique.

RESULTSIn the groups of mouse stressed by water platform environment, the level of serum glucocorticoid, the TFAR-19 protein expression and the Annexin-V apoptosis protein proportion increased in the thymus cell along with the stress time prolonging (P<0.05 or P <0.01). The serum glucocorticoid level in mice treated with MXP was lower than that in the untreated group (P <0.05). In the groups of emotional stressed mouse established by electrical stimulation, the above-mentioned variations also revealed. All these variations could be alleviated with MXP (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe water platform environment stress is a chronic continuous stress and electrical stimulation is an acute smooth stress, both of them could damage thymus function through neuro-endocrineo-immune network, but different in duration for causing severe injury. Chinese medicine MXP can alleviate the damage of thymus induced by either of them to certain degree.