Up-regulation of Fas/FasL activation contribute to the apoptosis enhancement of RU486 by Gong-Qing Decoction, a traditional Chinese prescription

Aim of the study

To elucidate the mechanisms of Gong Qing Decoction(GQD) on human trephocytes and decidual cells in vivo based upon the effective practice of alleviating uterine bleeding in RU486 medical abortion.

Materials and methods

90 intrauterine pregnancy women within 7 weeks, presenting for elective termination of pregnancy, were divided into the GQD-RU486 group, the RU486 group and the vacuum aspiration group. Duration of uterine bleeding was recorded and volume of uterine bleeding was measured by the method of alkaline hematin photometric. Ultramicrostructure of trephocytes and decidual cells were observed with transmission electron microscope (TEM), and apoptosis rate (AR) was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. At the same time, immunohistochemical staining was performed and integral optical density was analyzed to evaluate the protein expression of Fas, FasL, Caspase-8 and Caspase-3 in both trephocytes and decidual cells preliminarily.

Results

In comparison with the RU486 group and the vacuum aspiration group, both the duration and volume of uterine bleeding decreased significantly in the GQD-RU486 group. At the same time, both trephocytes and decidual cells in the GQD-RU486 group showed typical character of apoptotic ultramicrostructure and displayed up-regulated apoptosis rate. Synchronously, the integral optical density showed increased protein expression of Fas, FasL, Caspase-8 and Caspase-3 in both trephocytes and decidual cells in the GQD-RU486 group compared with other groups.

Conclusion

These data suggest that GQD can alleviate uterine bleeding effectively in RU486 medical abortion by way of apoptosis induction. The apoptosis enhancement of RU486 by GQD may be attributable to the activation of Fas and FasL.     

自拟固胎煎对复发性流产小鼠脾脏Th17/Treg细胞平衡的影响

[目的]观察自拟固胎煎对自然流产模型小鼠脾脏Th17/Treg细胞及对妊娠结局的影响。[方法]采用CBA/J雌鼠×BALB/c雄鼠建立正常妊娠模型,以CBA/J雌鼠×DBA/2雄鼠建立自然流产模型,自然流产孕鼠分为自然流产组、地屈孕酮组、中药低、中、高剂量组,正常妊娠组和自然流产组给予生理盐水,中药低、中、高剂量组分别给予7.125、14.25、28.5 g/kg自拟固胎煎汤剂,地屈孕酮组给予3.0 mg/kg地屈孕酮溶液,连续2周灌胃,每日1次。给药结束后处死并解剖小鼠,观察子宫胚胎数量并计算胚胎丢失率,流式细胞法检测脾脏中Th17细胞、Treg细胞含量及Th17/Treg细胞比例。[结果] 1)与自然流产组相比,中药低剂量组胚胎丢失率差异无统计学意义(P0.05);中药中剂量组、高剂量组和地屈孕酮组胚胎丢失率均显著降低(P0.05),且中药中剂量组、中药高剂量组、地屈孕酮组3组间比较,胚胎丢失率差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。2)与自然流产组相比,中药低剂量组Th17细胞数、Treg细胞数及Th17/Treg细胞百分率比值均无统计学差异(P0.05);中药中剂量组、高剂量组和地屈孕酮组,Th17细胞数及Th17/Treg细胞百分率比值均显著降低(P0.05),Treg细胞数均显著升高(P0.05);且中药中剂量组、中药高剂量组、地屈孕酮组3组间比较,Th17细胞数、Treg细胞数及Th17/Treg细胞百分率比值差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。[结论]自拟固胎煎可降低Th17/Treg比例,诱导免疫耐受,减少胚胎丢失率,改善妊娠结局。     

Moxibustion regulates T-regulatory/T-helper 17 cell balance by modulating the microRNA-221/suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 axis in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis

ObjectiveRheumatoid arthritis (RA) progression is associated with the balance of T-regulatory (Treg) and T-helper 17 (Th17) cells, while the role of microRNAs (miRs) in regulating Treg/Th17 cell balance has not been clarified. This study aimed to assess whether moxibustion could regulate Treg/Th17 cell balance by modulating the miR-221/suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) axis in the RA mouse model.MethodsA mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was established in male DBA/1J mice. Twenty-two days after CIA induction, the mice received daily treatment with moxibustion for 12 times. Pathological scores were assessed according to the levels of synovial hyperplasia. The expression levels of cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-17 and IL-10 were analyzed in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4⁺) splenocytes was analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The expression levels of RA-related miRs and target genes were subsequently detected, and the target of miR-221 was confirmed by the dual-luciferase reporter assay.ResultsIt was revealed that moxibustion treatment decreased the pathological scores and downregulated the expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-17, while upregulated the expression level of IL-10. The Treg/Th17 cell balance was regulated by moxibustion treatment. The expression level of miR-221 was suppressed by moxibustion treatment. Furthermore, SOCS3 was found as the direct target of miR-221, which mediated the function of moxibustion by regulating the Treg/Th17 cell balance.ConclusionMoxibustion therapy regulated the Treg/Th17 cell balance by modulating the miR-221/SOCS3 axis in the RA mouse model.     

加味归脾合剂治疗慢性免疫性血小板减少症气虚证临床研究

目的:观察加味归脾合剂治疗慢性免疫性血小板减少症(ITP)的疗效,探讨中药复方制剂对ITP患者Treg/Th17免疫紊乱调控的有效干预机制。方法:将符合标准的60例慢性ITP患者随机分为中药组和激素组各30例,中药组予加味归脾合剂治疗,激素组予泼尼松治疗,记录治疗前后ITP患者血清中细胞因子Treg细胞、Th17细胞以及Treg/Th17比值,Foxp3mRNA、RORγt mRNA、Foxp3/RORγt比值检测结果及外周血血小板计数。结果 :(1)血小板计数:中药组和激素组治疗后均有所上升,与治疗前比较差异有统计学意义(P0.01),组间比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。(2)Treg/Th17:中药组与激素组治疗前与正常对照组比较,Treg细胞、Th17细胞、Treg/Th17比值、Foxp3mRNA、RORγt mRNA表达、Foxp3/Ro Rγt比值差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后中药组Treg细胞表达与Treg/Th17比值、Foxp3mRNA表达、Foxp3/Ro Rγt比值检测均高于激素组,组间比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05);Th17和RORγtmRNA表达,组间比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:加味归脾合剂可有效提升血小板计数及Treg细胞、Treg/Th17比值、Foxp3mRNA、Foxp3/Ro RγT比值,其上调Treg细胞及Foxp3mRNA表达,从而改善Treg/Th17免疫功能紊乱,健脾益气统血是治疗ITP气虚证的主要机制之一。     

芪灵汤联合高效抗逆转录病毒疗法对HIV／AIDS患者Thl7和Treg细胞表达水平的影响

目的探讨芪灵汤联合高效抗逆转录疗法（HAART）对HIV／AIDS患者外周血Thl7和Treg细胞表达水平的影响。方法将55例HIV／AIDS患者随机分成HAART治疗组28例和联合治疗组27例,并选取21例HlV阴性患者为健康对照组。HAART治疗组给予HAART治疗,联合治疗组给予芪灵汤联合HAART治疗,观察24周。同时根据治疗前外周血CD4＋T细胞计数水平,将HIV／AIDS患者分为3层,第一层：1～100个／μL;第二层：101～200个/μL;第三层：201～350个/μL,运用流式细胞术（FCM）检测HIV,AIDS患者治疗前基线、治疗4、12、24周时间点、健康对照组外周血Thl7、Treg细胞的表达水平及CD4＋T细胞数目。结果与健康对照组比较,HlV／AIDS患者外周血中Thl7细胞基线表达水平及CD4＋T细胞数显著降低,Treg细胞基线表达水平则升高,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;与同组治疗前比较,HAART治疗组与联合治疗组治疗4、12和24周时CD4＋T细胞计数均升高,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05,P〈0．01）。不同CD4＋T细胞水平,两组患者有效率差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。各时间点上,HAART治疗组与联合治疗组Thl7细胞、Treg细胞表达水平无统计学意义（均P〉0．05）。与HAART治疗组比较,治疗24周后,联合治疗组Thl7／Treg比例显著升高,差异有统计学意义（U=2．135,P=0．038）。结论芪灵汤能够改善Thl7/Treg细胞免疫平衡,这可能是芪灵汤提高HlV／AIDS患者免疫功能的机制之一。     

米非司酮诱导大鼠卵巢细胞凋亡及仙车饮的修复作用

目的：通过观察米非司酮（RU486）及仙车饮对大鼠卵巢形态学的影响,探讨RU486对卵巢的影响和仙车饮的修复作用。方法：雌性大鼠分为5组,每组10只。对照组：给予色拉油;药流组：受孕第7d给予RU4868．3mg／kg和米索100ug／kg;未孕组：动情前期给予RU486;药流仙车饮组和未孕仙车饮组：在未孕组和药流组处理基础上,给予仙车饮2个动情周期。取材,电镜观察。结果：未孕组及药流组闭锁卵泡和间质腺增多,成熟卵泡减少,细胞核固缩,细胞质浓缩深染,药流组的改变较未孕组更为严重。未孕仙车饮组和药流仙车饮组可见各级卵泡,新生颗粒细胞,细胞器丰富。结论：RU486能诱导大鼠卵巢的颗粒细胞凋亡．影响卵冀功能：仙车饮在一定程度上能修蛊并改善卵巢功能．     

Clematichinenoside AR induces immunosuppression involving Treg cells in Peyer׳s patches of rats with adjuvant induced arthritis

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Clematichinenoside AR (AR) has been defined as a major active ingredient of triterpenoid saponins extracted from Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma, which is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has long been used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To further explore the mechanism of AR in the treatment of RA, we investigated whether its immunomodulatory effects are related to Treg-mediated suppression derived from Peyer?s patches (PPs) in adjuvant induced arthritis (AIA) rat model.

Materials and methods

AR (8, 16, 32 mg/kg) was orally administered daily from Day 18 to Day 31 after immunization. The effect of AR on AIA rats was evaluated by hind paw swelling and histopathological examination. Percentages of CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ T regulatory cells were determined by flow cytometry. Levels of IL-10, TGF-β₁, IL-17A and TNF-α were measured by ELISA. Expressions of Foxp3 and RORγ in synovium were detected using immunohistochemical analysis.

Results

AR treatment significantly reduced paw swelling of AIA rats, and histopathological analysis confirmed it could suppress severity of established arthritis. AR treatment upregulated the percentages of CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ Treg cells among CD4+ T cells in PPs lymphocytes, and increased the levels of IL-10 and TGF-β₁ secreted from ConA-activated PPs lymphocytes, whereas decreased the levels of IL-17 A and TNF-α. Similar tendency of circulating CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ Treg cells percentages and serum cytokine levels were observed. Moreover, AR decreased the expression levels of Foxp3 and RORγ in joint synovial membrane.

Conclusions

In conclusion, these results suggested AR has a potent protective effect on the progression of AIA, probably by augmenting CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ Treg cells in PPs to induce immunosuppression, and modulating the balance between Treg cells and Th17 cells systemically. These findings may help to develop AR as a potent immunosuppressive agent for the treatment of RA.     

电针对溃疡性结肠炎小鼠脾脏淋巴细胞Treg/Th17免疫平衡的影响

目的:观察电针对溃疡性结肠炎(UC)模型小鼠的治疗效应,并从调节性T细胞(Treg)与辅助性T细胞Th 17免疫平衡的角度探讨针灸治疗UC的机制。方法:健康雄性昆明种小鼠随机分为空白组、模型组、电针组,每组8只。采用3%葡聚糖硫酸钠法复制UC模型。电针组选取"关元""足三里"连续治疗5d,每天10min。观察各组小鼠体质量、大便黏稠度及出血情况,计算疾病活动指数;结肠组织HE染色,观察远端结肠组织病理形态学变化;流式细胞术检测小鼠脾淋巴细胞Treg、Th 17细胞水平。结果:电针对UC小鼠具有治疗效应,其疾病活动指数明显降低(P0.05),结肠组织病理改变得到改善。与空白组相比,模型组CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg细胞水平下调,CD3+CD8+IL-17+Th 17细胞水平上调,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);电针治疗后,CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg细胞水平上调,CD3+CD8+IL-17+Th 17细胞水平下降,与模型组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:电针可能通过对UC小鼠Treg/Th 17免疫平衡的影响起到治疗UC的作用。     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病Th1/Th2、Th17/Treg失衡与阴阳失衡的关系

中医学认为阴平阳秘是机体处于"稳态"的条件,而阴阳失衡则会使机体处于"病态".现代医学认为免疫自稳、免疫平衡与机体的"自稳态"有着密切关系,若免疫功能出现失衡则相关疾病就会发生.慢性阻塞性肺疾病(Chronic Ob-structive Pulmonary Disease,COPD)简称慢阻肺,与免疫失衡有着密切关系,...     

中西医结合治疗药物流产后子宫出血临床研究

目的：探讨中西医结合治疗药物流产后子宫出血的临床疗效。方法：将72例药物流产后子宫出血的患者随机分为对照组和治疗组,每组36例。对照组采用安宫黄体酮;治疗组采用安宫黄体酮与中药方剂。结果：对照组子宫出血彻底消失时间为（5.82±1.36）d,治疗组子宫出血彻底消失时间为（3.17±0.85）d,对照组药物治疗总时间为（10.74±1.72）d,治疗组药物治疗总时间为（7.31±1.48）d,治疗组子宫出血表现彻底消失时间和药物治疗总时间明显短于对照组（ P＆lt;0.05）。对照组有效率为69.5%,治疗组有效率为91.7%,两组比较,差异有统计学意义（ P＆lt;0.05）。治疗组药物原因导致的不良反应发生率为2.8%,对照组不良反应发生率为22.2%,两组比较,差异有统计学意义（ P＆lt;0.05）。结论：中西医结合治疗药物流产后子宫出血临床疗效明显。     

益母草颗粒对中孕大鼠药物流产后子宫复旧的影响

目的：探讨益母草颗粒治疗中孕大鼠药物流产后子宫异常出血症的作用机制。方法：通过动物实验,检测各组大鼠药流后子宫的出血量;子宫组织内皮素-1（ET-1）、一氧化氮（NO）的含量;血清雌二醇（E2）、孕酮（P）的含量。结果：与自然恢复组比较,益母草颗粒组子宫的出血量明显减少（P（0.05）;ET-1的含量明显增加（P（0.05）;P的含量明显增加（P（0.05）。结论：益母草颗粒可能通过增加药流后大鼠子宫组织中ET-1的含量,增加血清P的含量,达到促进药流后子宫复旧的目的。     

加味茵陈蒿汤联合常规治疗对慢性持续期湿热型支气管哮喘患者的临床疗效

目的探讨加味茵陈蒿汤联合常规治疗对慢性持续期湿热型支气管哮喘患者的临床疗效。方法 128例患者随机分为对照组和观察组,每组64例,对照组给予常规治疗(孟鲁司特钠、吸入型β2受体激动剂等),观察组在此基础上加用加味茵陈蒿汤,疗程4周。检测临床疗效、中医证候评分、儿童哮喘控制测试问卷(C-ACT)评分、呼气峰流量(PEF)、辅助性T细胞17(Th17)、调节性T细胞(Treg)、Th17/Treg、白介素-17(IL-17)、转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)、不良反应发生率变化。结果观察组总有效率高于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗后,2组中医证候评分、Th17、Th17/Treg、IL-17降低(P<0.05),C-ACT评分、PEF、Treg、TGF-β1升高(P<0.05),以观察组更明显(P<0.05)。2组不良反应发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论加味茵陈蒿汤联合常规治疗可有效调控慢性持续期湿热型支气管哮喘患者外周血Th17/Treg细胞平衡,缓解临床症状,改善肺功能,耐受性较好。     

祛风蠲饮汤对发作期小儿支气管哮喘风痰阻肺证临床疗效的影响

目的:观察祛风蠲饮汤治疗发作期小儿支气管哮喘(风痰阻肺证)的临床疗效及对辅助性T淋巴细胞17(Th17),调节性T细胞(Treg)和相关因子的调节作用。方法:采用随机按数字表法将130例患儿分为观察组和对照组各65例。对照组脱落、失访1例,违背方案剔除3例,完成61例,观察组脱落、失访2例,最终完成63例。两组患者基础治疗,布地奈德混悬液,1 mg/次,2次/d,经雾化器给药;重度患儿加用硫酸特布他林气雾剂,1~2喷/次,早晚各1次。对照组口服苏黄止咳胶囊,2粒/次,3次/d。观察组采用祛风蠲饮汤辨证内服,1剂/d。两组疗程均为7 d。记录哮喘起效和缓解时间;进行治疗前后肺功能评价,记录呼气流量峰值(PEF)日变异率、第一秒用力呼气容积(FEV₁)占预计值的百分比(FEV₁%)和第一秒用力呼气容积(FEV₁)/用力肺活量(FVC);进行治疗前后风痰阻肺证评分和呼出气一氧化氮(FeNO)测量;治疗后1周进行儿童哮喘控制测试(C-ACT);检测治疗前后Th17,Treg,白细胞介素-17(IL-17),IL-6,IL-10,IL-22和IL-35水平;进行安全性评价。结果:观察组哮喘起效时间和缓解时间均短于对照组(P<0.01);观察组PEF日变异率低于对照组(P<0.01),FEV₁%,FEV₁/FVC均高于对照组(P<0.01);观察组哮喘控制情况好于对照组(Z=2.106,P<0.05);观察组FeNO和风痰阻肺证评分均低于对照组(P<0.01);观察组Th17细胞和Th17/Treg均低于对照组(P<0.01),Treg细胞比例高于对照组(P<0.01);观察组IL-17,IL-6,IL-22水平均低于对照组(P<0.01),IL-10,IL-35水平均高于对照组(P<0.01);观察组疾病疗效总有效率为96.83%(61/63),优于对照组的85.25%(52/61)(χ²=5.141,P<0.05);观察组中医证疗效总有效率为98.41%(62/63),优于对照组的86.89%(53/61)(χ²=4.525,P<0.05)。未发现与使用祛风蠲饮汤相关不良反应。结论:采用祛风蠲饮汤辨证治疗支气管哮喘发作期风痰阻肺证中重度患儿,可缩短病程,改善肺功能,并可调节Th17,Treg及相关因子的表达,促进Th17/Treg免疫平衡,减轻了气道炎症和气道高反应性,能有效控制哮喘的发作情况,有着较好的临床疗效且使用安全。     

活血药、益气活血药对不同阶段Lewis肺癌转移影响的实验研究

目的揭示活血药、益气活血药在Lewis肺癌转移过程中差异的分子机制,为中药逆转免疫逃逸提供实验依据。方法观察各组小鼠肺转移抑制率;流式细胞术检测各组小鼠脾CD4^＋;T淋巴细胞Thl7/Treg细胞百分比动态变化;ELISA法检测各组小鼠CD;T淋巴细胞培养上清中白细胞介素-17（IL-17）、白细胞介素-23（IL-23）、γ干扰素（IFN-γ）动态水平;RT—PCR检测各组小鼠CD4＋T淋巴细胞Foxp3、RORγtmRNA动态表达水平。结果从各组药物抑制肺转移率看出,益气活血药苏木加黄芪优于单纯活血药苏木（P〈0．05）,与环磷酰胺组相似（P〉0．05）;除苏木黄芪组外,各荷瘤组小鼠脾Thl7与Treg细胞随时间迁移呈现出上升趋势;Thl7与Treg细胞的效应因子IL-17、IL-23、IFN-γ以及Thl7与Treg细胞关键转录分子RORTt、Foxp3呈现出与Thl7和Treg细胞相应的动态改变。结论益气活血药苏木加黄芪组在抑制肿瘤免疫耐受的形成和肿瘤形成过程中的免疫炎症反应优于单纯活血药苏木组和环磷酰胺组;各组药物对肿瘤转移机制均有一定的抑制作用,但益气活血药优于单纯活血药和化疗药物。     

左归丸加减对雌激素缺乏骨丢失小鼠Th17/Treg亚群的影响

目的观察左归丸加减对雌激素缺乏骨丢失模型小鼠脾脏辅助性T细胞亚群17（Th17）/调节性T细胞亚群（Treg）亚群平衡的影响,并探讨其作用机制。方法 50只BALB/c小鼠按随机数字表法随机分为假手术组、卵巢切除模型组、左归丸加减（简称中药）小、中、大剂量组,共5组,每组10只。中药组分别给予中药小、中、大剂量（7.25、14.50、29.00 g/kg）,1天1次,1次约0.5 m L,连续用药12周;同时假手术组及模型组给予等量的生理盐水。采用酶联免疫吸附（enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA）法检测各组血清雌二醇（E2）水平,双能X线骨密度仪检测股骨骨密度（bone mineral density,BMD）,流式细胞仪胞内外双染色法检测脾脏单个核细胞Th17/Treg亚群比例,RT-PCR法检测脾脏单个核细胞IL-17A、TGF-βmRNA表达。结果与假手术组比较,模型组E2、BMD均降低（P〈0.05）,Th17亚群比例、Th17/Treg比值均升高（P〈0.05）,Treg亚群比例明显降低（P〈0.05）,IL-17A mRNA表达明显升高（P〈0.05）,TGF-βmRNA表达明显降低（P〈0.05）;与模型组比较,中药中、大剂量组BMD值明显升高（P〈0.05）,Th17亚群比例、Th17/Treg比值降低（P〈0.05）、Treg亚群比例升高（P〈0.05）,IL-17A mRNA表达降低（P〈0.05）及TGF-βmRNA表达升高（P〈0.05）。相关性分析显示BMD与血清E2水平、Treg亚群比例呈明显正相关（P〈0.05）,与Th17亚群比例呈明显负相关（P〈0.05）;血清E2水平与Treg亚群比例呈明显正相关（P〈0.05）,与Th17亚群比例呈明显负相关（P〈0.05）。结论 Th17/Treg亚群平衡状态与雌激素缺乏骨丢失存在相关性,左归丸加减能降低雌激素缺乏骨丢失小鼠Th17亚群比例,升高雌激素缺乏骨丢失小鼠Treg亚群比例。左归丸加减可能通过调节雌激素缺乏骨丢失小鼠Th17/Treg亚群平衡达到治疗作用,且该方无明显雌激素样作用。     

小青龙颗粒对支气管哮喘患者外周血Th17/Treg平衡影响的研究

目的探讨小青龙颗粒对支气管哮喘患者外周血Th17/Treg平衡的影响。方法将60例支气管哮喘急性发作期患者随机分为2组:治疗组给予小青龙汤治疗,对照组给予西医常规治疗组,治疗7 d后评定疗效。治疗前后采集标本进行Th17细胞、Treg细胞检测。结果 2组治疗后外周血Th17细胞百分率和Th17/Treg细胞的比值均下降,Treg细胞的百分率均上升;治疗后治疗组外周血IL-17细胞百分率、IL-17/TGF-β1的比值均低于对照组,TGF-β1细胞百分率高于对照组。结论小青龙颗粒可有效调控Th17/Treg失衡,在支气管哮喘发作期治疗和调节免疫上有应用价值。     

Preventive effects of skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) extract in a mouse model of food allergy

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Food allergy, which accompanies acute symptoms such as pruritus, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethal anaphylactic shock is an increasing clinical problem. Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi) has been widely used as a traditional herbal medicine to treat inflammation, cancer, and allergy, but its effects in treating food allergy are not yet known.

Materials and methods

To examine the effect of skullcap on food allergy, female BALB/c mice were sensitized with 20 μg OVA and 2 mg alum by intraperitoneal injection on day 0. From day 17, mice were orally challenged with OVA (50 mg) in saline every 3 days, for a total of six times. To investigate the preventive effect, skullcap (25 mg/kg) was orally administered every day from day 17 to 34.

Results

Food allergy symptoms were evaluated by the criteria for diarrhea, anaphylactic response, and rectal temperature. Severe symptoms of food allergy were observed in the sham group (diarrhea, 3 points; anaphylactic response, 2.6 points; rectal temperature, −8.36 °C. In contrast, the skullcap treatment group had a significantly suppressed OVA-induced anaphylactic response (1.3 points) and rectal temperature (−4.76 °C). Moreover, both OVA-specific IgE, Th17 cytokine (IL-17), and Th2-related cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13), which increased with food allergy, were significantly inhibited by skullcap treatment.

Conclusion

We demonstrate that the administration of skullcap attenuates OVA-induced food allergy symptoms through regulating systemic immune responses of Th cells. These results indicate that skullcap may be a potential candidate as a preventive agent for food allergy.     

金匮肾气丸合补中益气汤加减治疗绝经后骨质疏松症的疗效及对免疫炎症因子的调节作用

目的:观察金匮肾气丸合补中益气汤加减治疗绝经后骨质疏松症(PMO)脾肾两虚证的临床疗效,对细胞免疫炎症因子的调节作用。方法:将160例患者按随机数字表分为对照组和观察组,每组80例。两组患者均给予综合西医治疗措施,对照组口服壮骨止痛胶囊,4粒/次,3次/d;观察组口服金匮肾气丸联合补中益气汤治疗,1剂/d。两组均连续治疗24周。采用双能X射线吸收检测法(DXA)测量治疗前后腰椎L2-4骨密度和定量CT(QCT)测量治疗前后腰椎骨密度;进行中医证候评分和中国人骨质疏松症生存质量简明量表(COQOL)评分;检测治疗前后雌二醇(E2),Ⅰ型原胶原氨基端前肽(PINP),血清骨钙素(OC),骨保护素(OPG),Ⅰ型胶原交联C末端肽(S-CTX),抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶(TRACP)和尿吡啶啉(PYD)水平;检测治疗前后CD4⁺T细胞,CD8⁺T细胞,白细胞介素-17(IL-17),肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α),γ-干扰素(IFN-γ)和白细胞介素-4(IL-4)水平,计算CD4⁺T细胞中辅助性T细胞(Th)17和调节性T细胞(Treg)的比例;进行安全性评价。结果:观察组DXA测量骨密度,T和QCT测量骨密度均高于对照组(P<0.01);观察组中医证候评分和COQOL评分均低于对照组(P<0.01);观察组PINP,OC,S-CTX,TRACP和PYD/Cr水平均低于对照组,OPG高于对照组(P<0.01);观察组CD8⁺和Treg水平高于对照组(P<0.05),Th17,Th17/Treg,CD4⁺/CD8⁺低于对照组(P<0.05);观察组IL-17,TNF-α,IFN-γ水平低于对照组,IL-4和E₂水平高于对照组(P<0.01);观察组疗效优于对照组(Z=2.103,P<0.05)。结论:采用金匮肾气丸联合补中益气汤治疗PMO脾肾两虚型患者,可提高E₂水平,提高骨密度,减轻临床症状,提高生活质量,能调节骨代谢指标和免疫炎症反应,有着较好的临床疗效,且安全。