[Effect of liuwei dihuang decoction, on the cytokine expression in splenocytes in AA rats].
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.
Fang
J
J
Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100850, China.
Zhang
Y X
YX
Ru
X B
XB
Wei
X L
XL
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*
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