title: [Effect of liuwei dihuang decoction, on the cytokine expression in splenocytes in AA rats].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effect of Liuwei Dihuang decoction (LW) on the function of splenic T helper cells (Th) was studied and compared with those of the immune inhibitors such as cyclophosphamide (Cy) and cyclosporin A (CsA) in AA rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  The expression of mRNA for IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 in splenic T-Lymphocytes of adjuvant arthritis (AA) rats was evaluated using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  mRNA expression level of IL-2 had a tendency to elevate, but the mRNA expression levels of IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly decreased in AA rats in comparison with control groups. LW treatment significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of IL-2 and promoted the expression of IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-10 in splenocytes of AA rats, with an obvious characteristic as compared with that of Cy or CsA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LW can correct the indifferent balance of the functions of splenocyte Th1/Th2 in AA rats.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100850, China.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Y X
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: X B
authors.initials: XB
authors.lastname: Ru
authors.forename: X L
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007376:Interleukin-2; C042579:Liuwei Dihuang Decoction; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma