[Regulatory effect of procyanidins on the expressions of interferon-gamma, interleukin-12 and transcription factor T-bet mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cell of patients with alopecia areata].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the regulatory effect of procyanidins (PC) on the expressions of Th1 type cytokines (IFN-gamma and IL-12) and the transcription factor T-bet mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) in patients with alopecia areata (AA).


METHODS
Above-mentioned expressions were detected using RT-PCR technique in 20 AA patients (8 of mild and 12 of severe degree) and 10 healthy subjects after phytoaemagglutinin (PHA) or PHA + PC stimulation.


RESULTS
After being stimulated by PHA and PHA + PC, in patients with severe AA, the expression of T-bet mRNA was 0.581 +/- 0.148 and 0.419 +/- 0.113 respectively; that of IFN-gamma mRNA, 0.689 +/- 0.219 and 0.430 +/- 0.162; and that of IL-12 mRNA, 0.198 +/- 0.056 and 0.136 +/- 0.035, respectively. As compared with those before stimulation, the respective difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
PC can inhibit the expressions of Th1 type cytokines and transcription factor T-bet in PBMC of severe AA patients, and reverse the Th1 responses. The authors offered that it maybe part of the acting mechanism of pine needle for treatment of AA.
Zhu
Pei-Cheng
PC
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of TCM, Guangzhou. zpcgdtcm@126.com
Xuan
Guo-Wei
GW
Chen
Da-Can
DC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044945:Proanthocyanidins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult; D000098815:T-bet Transcription Factor
D044945:Proanthocyanidins; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins; D000098815:T-bet Transcription Factor; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma