Effects of toosendanin on pregnancy and uterine immunity alterations in mice.
This study was conducted to explore the abortifacient effect and the mechanisms of the Chinese herbal medicine component toosendanin, and to elucidate the significance of the Th1 cytokines IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in the occurrence of abortion. Graded doses of toosendanin were given by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) to mice at day 5, 6, 7 of gestation. The levels of Th1 cytokines (IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha) in serum and uterine tissues from mice sacrificed at day 8 were analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Presence of T lymphocytes in endometrium was detected by immunohistochemistry. The results revealed that injection of toosendanin could produce a dose-dependent toxicity. The IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha content in serum and uterine tissues were increased significantly. The CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes were also increased in the endometrium of toosendanin treated groups. In conclusion, toosendanin is pregnancy-toxic to animals and it is relevant to the increased contents of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and CD4+, CD8+ T lymphocytes.
Zhang
Jian-Lou
JL
College of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University of Hebei, Dingzhou, China.
Shi
Wang-Yu
WY
Zhong
Wei
W
Ma
Ai-Tuan
AT
Wang
Xiao-Dan
XD
Zhao
Yan-Tao
YT
Wang
Meng
M
Zhong
Xiu-Hui
XH
D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011247:Pregnancy; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D014315:Triterpenes
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C036454:toosendanin; D014315:Triterpenes