OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of recombinant fusion protein interleukin (IL)-18 on the expression of immune-inflammatory factors in the mice infected with Staphylococcus aureus (SA), and to investigate the mechanism of action of IL-18 in defense of SA infection in vivo.

METHODSA total of 40 specific pathogen-free female BLAB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups: control, SA infection, immunized, and intervention. A mouse model of SA infection was established by nasal inoculation with SA liquid. The immunized group and the intervention group were intranasally given IL-18 before SA modeling, and then the SA infection group and the intervention group received the nasal inoculation with SA liquid; the control group was treated with phosphate buffered saline instead. The levels of IL-4, interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), IgM in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of mice were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α mRNA and MIP-2β mRNA in the lung tissue of mice were determined by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the SA infection group and the immunized group had significantly higher levels of IL-4, G-CSF, and IgM in the serum and BALF and expression of MIP-1α mRNA and MIP-2β mRNA in the lung tissue (P<0.05); the SA infection group had a significantly lower level of IFN-γ and a significantly higher level of TNF in the serum and BALF (P<0.05); the immunized group had a significantly higher level of IFN-γ in the serum and BALF (P<0.05). Compared with the SA infection group, the intervention group had significantly higher levels of IL-4, IFN-γ, G-CSF, and IgM in the serum and BALF and expression of MIP-1α mRNA in the lung tissue. In contrast, the intervention group showed a significantly lower level of TNF in the serum and BALF and expression of MIP-2β mRNA in the lung tissue (P<0.05). All the above indicators in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), except the serum level of IFN-γ.

CONCLUSIONSIn the mice infected with SA, the recombinant fusion protein IL-18 by mucosal immunity can affect inflammatory factors in the serum and BALF and the expression of MIP-1α mRNA and MIP-2β mRNA in the lung tissue to promote the anti-infective immune response and enhance the ability to clear pathogens.

Animals ; Chemokine CCL3 ; analysis ; Female ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; blood ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-18 ; therapeutic use ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Staphylococcal Infections ; drug therapy ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo primarily evaluate the effects of ulinastatin on immune function of patients with severe burn injury.

METHODSForty patients with severe burn admitted to our ward from March 2013 to October 2015, conforming to the study criteria, were divided into conventional treatment group (CT, n=20) and ulinastatin treatment group (UT, n=20) according to the random number table and patient's consent. After admission, patients in group CT received antishock treatment, antibiotic treatment, debridement, skin grafting, and nutrition support, etc. On the basis of the above-mentioned treatment, patients in group UT received intravenous drip of ulinastatin from first day after admission twice a day, with a dosage of 8×10(5) U every time, for 7 days in addition. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from patients in groups CT and UT on post treatment day (PTD) 1, 3, 5 and 7, respectively. Twenty healthy volunteer were selected as health control group (HC), and peripheral venous blood samples were collected on the first day of the study. Percentage of CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) was determined by flow cytometer. The proliferative activity of T lymphocytes was detected by microplate reader (denoted as absorbance value). Content of interleukin 2 (IL-2) in culture supernatant of T lymphocytes, and content of IL-4 and γ interferon (IFN-γ) in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) on CD14(+) monocytes was determined by flow cytometer. Data were processed with analysis of variance for repeated measurement, chi-square test, and LSD-t test.

RESULTS(1) Compared with that of volunteer in group HC, the percentage of CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs of patients in group CT was significantly increased from PTD 1 to 7 (with t values from 13.303 to 26.043, P values below 0.01). Compared with that in group CT, the percentage of CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs of patients in group UT was significantly decreased on PTD 5 and 7 (with t values respectively 8.317 and 15.071, P values below 0.01). (2) The proliferative activity of T lymphocytes of patients in group CT on PTD 1, 3, 5, and 7 was respectively 0.71±0.11, 0.61±0.15, 0.54±0.12, and 0.67±0.17, which was significantly lower than that in group HC (1.21±0.22, with t values from 8.686 to 11.957, P values below 0.01). The proliferative activity of T lymphocytes of patients in group UT on PTD 3, 5, and 7 were respectively 0.81±0.11, 0.85±0.14, and 1.08±0.13, which was significantly higher than that in group CT (with t values from 4.808 to 8.568, P values below 0.01). (3) Compared with those of volunteer in group HC, content of IL-2 in culture supernatant of T lymphocytes of patients in group CT was significantly decreased from PTD 1 to 7 (with t values from 8.073 to 9.288, P values below 0.01), content of IL-4 in serum of patients in group CT was significantly increased from PTD 1 to 7 (with t values from 18.926 to 41.451, P values below 0.01), and content of IFN-γ in serum of patients in group CT was significantly decreased from PTD 1 to 7 (with t values from 4.543 to 27.659, P values below 0.01). Compared with those in group CT, content of IL-2 in culture supernatant of T lymphocytes of patients in group UT was significantly increased from PTD 3 to 7 (with t values from 6.507 to 8.869, P values below 0.01), content of IL-4 in serum of patients in group UT was significantly decreased from PTD 3 to 7 (with t values from 6.922 to 8.843, P values below 0.01), and content of IFN-γ in serum of patients in group UT was significantly increased on PTD 5 and 7 (with t values respectively 5.369 and 13.521, P values below 0.01). (4) The percentages of CD14(+) monocytes with positive expression of HLA-DR of patients in group CT on PTD 1, 3, 5, and 7 were respectively (28±6)%, (25±7)%, (25±7)%, and (39±10)%, which were significantly lower than the percentage of volunteer in group HC [(87±8)%, with t values from 16.323 to 25.645, P values below 0.01]. The percentages of CD14(+) monocytes with positive expression of HLA-DR of patients in group UT on PTD 3, 5, and 7 were respectively (40±6)%, (42±9)%, and (49±10)%, which were significantly higher than those in group CT (with t values from 3.071 to 7.324, P values below 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSOn the basis of CT, additional ulinastatin intervention can decrease CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs percentage, improve the immune function of T lymphocytes and T helper cells, and increase expression of HLA-DR on CD14(+) monocytes of patients with severe burn injury, thus improve the immune function of patients.

Burns ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Cells, Cultured ; Debridement ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Glycoproteins ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Monocytes ; immunology ; Skin Transplantation ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether Shen-Fu Injection (, SFI) reduces post-resuscitation immune dysfunction in a porcine model of cardiac arrest by modulating apoptosis of regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg) in the spleen.

METHODSAfter 8-min untreated ventricular fibrillation and 2-min basic life support, 24 pigs were divided into 3 groups with a random number table, i.e. SFI group, epinephrine (EP) group, and saline (SA) group (8 in each group), which received central venous injection of SFI (1.0 mL/kg), EP (0.02 mg/kg) and SA, respectively. The same procedure without CA initiation was achieved in the sham-operated (sham) group (n=6). After successful return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), apoptosis rate of splenic Treg was detected by flow cytometry; and the mRNA expression of forkhead/winged helix transcription factor (Foxp3) of splenic Treg was detected by real time-polymerase chain reaction; and the levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in porcine splenic Treg were detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSCompared with the sham group, the apoptosis rate of Treg was significantly decreased, and the levels of Foxp3 mRNA expression, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IFN-γ/IL-4 were increased in the SA group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the EP and SA groups, SFI treatment increased the apoptosis rate of Treg and reduced the levels of Foxp3 mRNA expression, IFN-γ and IFN-γ/IL-4 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSFI has signifificant effects in attenuating post-resuscitation immune dysfunction by modulating apoptosis of Treg in the spleen.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Heart Arrest ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Hemodynamics ; drug effects ; Injections ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Spleen ; immunology ; Survival Analysis ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; drug effects ; immunology

Several factors can affect the perioperative immune function. We evaluated the effect of propofol and desflurane anesthesia on the surgery-induced immune perturbation in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery. The patients were randomly assigned to receive propofol (n = 20) or desflurane (n = 20) anesthesia. The total and differential white blood cell counts were determined with lymphocyte subpopulations before and 1 hr after anesthesia induction and at 24 hr postoperatively. Plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-4 were also measured. Both propofol and desflurane anesthesia preserved the IL-2/IL-4 and CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio. Leukocytes were lower in the propofol group than in the desflurane group at 1 hr after induction (median [quartiles], 4.98 [3.87-6.31] vs. 5.84 [5.18-7.94] 10(3)/microL) and 24 hr postoperatively (6.92 [5.54-6.86] vs. 7.62 [6.22-9.21] 10(3)/microL). NK cells significantly decreased 1 hr after induction in the propofol group (0.41 [0.34-0.53] to 0.25 [0.21-0.33] 10(3)/microL), but not in the desflurane group (0.33 [0.29-0.48] to 0.38 [0.30-0.56] 10(3)/microL). Our findings indicate that both propofol and desflurane anesthesia for breast cancer surgery induce a favorable immune response in terms of preservation of IL-2/IL-4 and CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio in the perioperative period. With respect to leukocytes and NK cells, desflurane anesthesia is associated with less adverse immune responses than propofol anesthesia during surgery for breast cancer. (Clinical trial registration at https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris number: KCT0000939)
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anesthesia/adverse effects ; Anesthetics, Inhalation/*therapeutic use ; Anesthetics, Intravenous/*therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms/immunology/*surgery ; *CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-2/blood ; Interleukin-4/blood ; Isoflurane/*analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Propofol/*therapeutic use ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the balance of T help cell1/2 (Th1/Th2), the changes of correlated proinflammatory cytokines (IFN-gamma and IL-4), and regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), and the abnormal expression of IL-17, the effector of T help cell17 (Th17) in chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN)patients with Shaoyang disease, thus revealing the mechanisms of Xiaochaihu Decoction (XD) for treating proteinuria of CGN patients according to the theory of mediating Shaoyang meridian.

METHODSTotally 70 CGN patients with Shaoyang disease were randomly assigned to two groups, the treatment group (treated by XD) and the control group [treated by Shenyan Kangfu Tablet (SKT)], 35 in each group. Besides, 20 healthy volunteers were recruited as the healthy control group. Besides, routine therapy of chronic kidney disease (CKD), patients in the treatment group and the control group were treated with XD and SKT respectively for 4 weeks. The changes of Chinese medical syndrome, the effectiveness, 24-h urinary protein, renal functions, the peripheral blood IFN-gamma, IL-4, Th1/Th2, IL-17, and RANTES were compared.

RESULTSBefore treatment the Th1/Th2, IL-17, and RANTES of the two treated groups were higher, and the IL-4 level was lower than those of the healthy control group (P < 0.05). After treatment the improvement of Chinese medical syndrome, main symptoms, the effectiveness was better in the XD group than in the SKT group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The proteinuria obviously decreased in the treatment group, with the efficacy superior to the SKT group (P < 0.05). The Th1/Th2, IL-17, and RANTES decreased to various degrees when compared with the SKT group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The IL-4 level increased more obviously in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the improvement of the renal function (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe immune disorder of the CGN patients with Shaoyang disease was correlated with Th1/Th2 imbalance, and abnormal changes of Th17 cell functions and RANTES. XD could improve the inflammation by regulating the immune disorder of CGN patients with Shaoyang disease, which proved that the theory of mediating Shaoyang meridian could be used to improve the inflammation of CGN patients, thus relieving the proteinuria.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Chemokine CCL5 ; metabolism ; Chronic Disease ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis ; drug therapy ; immunology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proteinuria ; drug therapy ; immunology ; metabolism ; Th1-Th2 Balance ; Th17 Cells ; immunology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo confirm the efficacy and safety of Jitongning Capsule in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

METHODSA total of 120 AS patients with early-intermediate were randomly and equally assigned to Jitongning Capsule group and sulfasalazine group. Jitongning Capsule was orally taken 4.5 g per day and sulfasalazine was orally taken 2 g daily for 12 months. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving the Assessment in Ankylosing Spondylitis 20 (ASAS 20), secondary end points included Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), patient's global assessment by VAS rating, spinal pain, general pain and night pain, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of AS patients were measured.

RESULTSA total of 111 patients completed the study. There were 58 patients in Jitongning group and 53 patients in sulfasalazine group. Both drugs showed mild and occasional side effects. After treated by Jitongning Capsule and sulfasalazine, the proportion of ASAS20 responders at 12 month was 72.41% (42/58) and 67.92% (36/53) respectively. Both Jitongning Capsule and sulfasalazine treatment induced significant decrease in the proportion of CD4(+)T cell and CD8(+)T cell expressing TNF-α and IFN-γ at 12-month of treatment compared with baseline values (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONJitongning Capsule are effective in a setting close to real-life medical care with a sustained improvement in signs and symptoms of AS, and reduce cytokine levels in PBMC. It showed comparable effects to sulfasalazine.

Adult ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; secretion ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; secretion ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Endpoint Determination ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; secretion ; Interleukin-4 ; secretion ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; secretion ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Chinese herbal medicine for nourishing yin, supplementing qi, and activating blood on the expression of interferon-γ (IFN-γ)/interleukin-4 (IL-4) in peripheral blood and disease activity in primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) patients, and to study the relationship between the immune balance of Th1/Th2 and the disease activity.

METHODSA total of 66 pSS patients were randomized with tossing coins method into two groups: the integrative therapy group (34 cases) and the control group (32 cases); and 28 healthy subjects were taken as the normal group. The integrative therapy group was treated by Chinese herbal medicines for nourishing yin, supplementing qi, and activating blood combined with hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets and the control group was treated with hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets. The treatment course was 3 months for both groups. The levels of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), IFN-γ and IL-4 in peripheral blood were measured before and after treatment.

RESULTSCompared with the normal group, the levels of IgG, ESR, IFN-γ and IL-4 were significantly increased in pSS patients (P<0.05). Remarkably, after 3 months of treatment, these levels were dramatically decreased in both the integrative therapy group and the control group, although still higher than the normal group. The levels of IgG, ESR, IFN-γ and IL-4 in the integrative therapy group were lower than the control group and the same group before treatment (P<0.05). The ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 also significantly decreased after treatment. Moreover, the level of IFN-γ and the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 in the integrative therapy group were significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05). For all patients the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 before and after treatment was positive correlated with the levels of IgG and ESR.

CONCLUSIONChinese herbal medicine for nourishing yin, supplementing qi, and activating blood can alleviate the disease activity of pSS by regulating the immune balance of Th1/Th2.

Adult ; Aged ; Blood Sedimentation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Qi ; Sjogren's Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Th1-Th2 Balance ; drug effects ; Yin-Yang ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammation effects of Xuebijing in OVA-induced murine allergic rhinitis model. Furthermore, we determined whether heme oxygenase (HO)-1 is required for the protective activity of Xuebijing. METHOD: Airways of OVA-sensitized mice exposed to OVA challenge developed eosinophilia, mucus hypersecretion and increased cytokine levels. Levels of interleukin IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in nasal lavage fluid were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Lung tissue and nasal mucosa sections were stained with Mayer's hematoxylin and eosin for assessment of cell infiltration and mucus production, Immunohistochemistry, Real-time PCR and Western Blot analyses for HO-1 protein expression. RESULT: Orally administered Xuebijing significantly inhibited the number of OVA-induced inflammatory cells and IgE production, along with reduced T-helper (Th) 2 cytokine levels, such as IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, improved the level of IFN-gamma, in nasal lavage fluid. In addition, Xuebijing induced a marked decrease in OVA-induced inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus production in nasal and lung tissues. These effects were correlated with HO-1 mRNA and protein induction. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that Xuebijing protects against OVA-induced airway inflammation, at least in part, via HO-1 upregulation.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Eosinophilia ; metabolism ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; metabolism ; Immunoglobulin E ; immunology ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Interleukin-13 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-5 ; metabolism ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Mice ; Nasal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of pulmonary surfactant (PS) on the Th1/Th2 balance and serum levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and IgE in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

METHODSA total of 58 neonates with RDS were divided into control (n=20) and PS treatment groups (n=38). The control group underwent mechanical ventilation and other conventional treatment, while the PS treatment group received with bovine PS treatment within 1 hour of being admitted to the hospital together with mechanical ventilation and other conventional treatment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure serum levels of IL-4, IFN-γ and IgE before treatment and 24, 48 and 72 hours after treatment. Simultaneously, arterial blood gas, respiratory system compliance, and other ventilator parameters were recorded.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the PS treatment group showed significantly shorter duration of mechanical ventilation and oxygen exposure time (P<0.05), significantly better respiratory system compliance and significantly lower oxygenation index 24, 48 and 72 hours after treatment (P<0.05). At 48 and 72 hours after treatment, serum levels of IFN-γ were significantly lower in the PS treatment group than in the control group (120±46 ng/L vs 229±59 ng/L, P<0.05; 141±40 ng/L vs 282±44 ng/L, P<0.05), and serum levels of IL-4 were significantly higher in the PS treatment group than in the control group (263±48 pg/mL vs 152±45 pg/mL, P<0.05; 417±49 pg/mL vs 201±46 pg/mL, P<0.05). At 72 hours after treatment, serum level of IgE was significantly lower in the PS treatment group than in the control group (115±44 pg/mL vs 199±43 ng/mL; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPS treatment can shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation and oxygen exposure time, regulate serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-4 and IgE, and influence Th1/Th2 balance in neonates with RDS, thus inhibiting lung inflammatory response and reducing lung injury.

CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Infant, Newborn ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Male ; Pulmonary Surfactants ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn ; complications ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology

BACKGROUNDEffects of icariin on airway inflammation in asthmatic rats and the intervention of LPS induced inflammation are interfered with the machanism of icariin. Our study aimed to observe the effect of icariin on ovalbumin-induced imbalance of Th1/Th2 cytokine expression and its mechanism.

METHODSSixty male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (PBS), asthma group (ovalbumin (OVA)-induced), dexamethasone group, and OVA+icariin low, medium and high dose groups (5, 10, 20 mg/kg, respectively). Each group had ten rats. The model of OVA sensitization was a rat asthma model. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to observe the effects of icariin on interleukin-4 (IL-4) and inerferon γ (IFN-γ) in rats' lung tissue. Immunohistochemical staining was applied to detect the intervention effects of icariin on T cells (T-bet) and gatabinding protein 3 (GATA-3) in rat pulmonary tissue. Realtime RT-PCR was used to observe the intervention effects of icariin on T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA expression in rat pulmonary tissue and spleen lymphocytes. Western blotting was used to observe the icariin intervention effects on T-bet, GATA-3 and nuclear factor-Kappa B (NF-κB) p65 protein expressions in rat pulmonary tissue.

RESULTSThe ELISA results from pulmonary tissue showed that IL-4 expression was significantly reduced (P < 0.05), while the IFN-γ expression increased but not significantly when we compared OVA+icariin medium and high dose groups with the asthma group. Immunohistochemical staining of pulmonary tissue showed that the GATA-3 decreased significantly while the T-bet staining did not change in the OVA+icariin high dose group. In pulmonary tissue and spleen lymphocytes T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA expressions were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in icariin treatment groups compared with the asthma model group. GATA-3 and T-bet mRNA in rat spleen lymphocytes in the asthma group were higher than in the control group. GATA-3 mRNA expression in pulmonary tissue significantly decreased (P < 0.05) while T-bet mRNA expression decreased but not significantly in the icariin treatment group compared with the asthma group. T-bet and GATA-3 protein expressions in pulmonary tissue increased significantly compared with the asthma group, which meant that icariin could inhibit the increase of GATA-3 protein, but not of T-bet. The bronchus, blood vessels and periphery pulmonary tissue had infiltration of inflammatory cells in the OVA+icariin high dose group while NF-κB p65 cells were reduced, and expression of NF-κB p65 in this group was less than in the asthma group. The expression of total p65 protein decreased with icariin treatment while the expression of cytoplasmic p65 protein increased.

CONCLUSIONSIcariin could regulate the imbalance of Th1/Th2 cytokines in asthmatic rat pulmonary tissue. Icariin could regulate the imbalance of Th1/Th2 associated transcription factors T-bet and GATA-3 in asthmatic rat pulmonary tissue and spleen lymphocytes. Icariin could inhibit the activation of NF-κB p65 protein in asthmatic rat pulmonary tissue.

Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; immunology ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Disease Models, Animal ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flavonoids ; therapeutic use ; GATA3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; Male ; Ovalbumin ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; metabolism ; Th1 Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Th2 Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism