OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Chinese Bushen Huatan Drugs (BSHT, Chinese drugs for Kidney tonifying and phlegm resolving) on pituitary-sex gland-immune axis in smoking induced mice model of chronic bronchitis.

METHODSModel mice were induced by smoking and divided into the model control group, the large dosage of BSHT group, the small dosage of BSHT group and the positive control group (treated by Guilong Kechuanning, a proved effective Chinese patent drug). A blank group of normal mice was also set for control. Serum levels of testosterone (T), luteotropic hormone (LH), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-8 (IL-8), visceral indexes of testis, epididymis and thymus were measured and microstructure of testis tissue was also observed.

RESULTSAs compared with those in the blank group, serum T, LH and IL-2 levels, and testis, epididymis and thymus indexes were all lower, and IL-8 level was higher in the model control group, moreover, atrophic change of testis was present in the model mice. These abnormal changes were all improved in the BSHT groups.

CONCLUSIONSmoking induced mice model of chronic bronchitis, which may cause reproductive endocrine disturbance and immunosuppression. BSHT could modulate the pituitary-sex gland-immune axis through adjusting the disturbed sex hormone, improve the pathological change of testis and enhance the immunity of organism.

Animals ; Bronchitis, Chronic ; etiology ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Mice ; Neurosecretory Systems ; drug effects ; Pituitary Gland ; immunology ; Random Allocation ; Smoking ; Testis ; pathology ; Testosterone ; blood