[Effects of compound preparation of Cordyceps sinensis and Tripterygium hypoglaucum on survival time of pigskin after allogeneic transplantation].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of compound preparation of Cordyceps sinensis and Tripterygium hypoglaucum (CSTHC) on survival time of grafted pigskin after allogeneic transplantation and its mechanism.


METHODS
The pigskin was treated with CSTHC solution before allogeneic transplantation, and CSTHC ointment was applied for external use on the grafted pigskin after skin transplantation. Cyclosporine A (CsA) and normal saline were served as control. The survival time, the appearance and the histomorphological changes of the grafted pigskin were observed. The histomorphological changes of testicles in pigs were also examined. The CD4 and CD8 expressions in the grafted pigskins were measured by immunohistochemical method. The white blood cell count in peripheral blood and the liver and renal functions were also examined.


RESULTS
The survival time of the grafted pigskin in the CSTHC-treated group was (28.50+/-3.26)d, which was much longer as compared with (10.60+/-1.52)d in the untreated group (P<0.01). The survival time of the grafted pigskin in the CsA-treated group was (28.33+/-3.50)d, and there was no remarkable difference in the survival time of the grafted pigskin between the CsA-treated group and the CSTHC-treated group. The expressions of CD4 and CD8 were lower in the CSTHC-treated group than those in the untreated group on the 7th and 14th day after skin graft (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the indices between the CSTHC-treated group and the CsA-treated group. The WBC count was higher in the untreated group than that in the CSTHC-treated group or CsA-treated group on the 7th day after skin graft (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
CSTHC can prolong the survival time of allogeneic grafted pigskin. Its mechanism of inhibiting the immunological rejection may relate to decreasing the expressions of CD4(+) and CD8(+) in the grafted pigskin and reducing the local inflammatory reaction.
Cheng
Dai-Wei
DW
Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Guizhou People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou Province 550002, China. cdw1960@sina.com
Zou
Yong
Y
Qian
Ning
N
Wang
Chao-Liang
CL
Tian
Ying-Biao
YB
Wang
Da-Li
DL
Zhao
Gui-Xiang
GX
Gao
Zhen-Yu
ZY
D000818:Animals; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D032661:Cordyceps; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D029757:Tripterygium
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal