title: Modulatory Effects of Astragalus Polysaccharides on T-Cell Polarization in Mice with Polymicrobial Sepsis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study evaluated the impact of different doses of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) on the functional status and phenotype of T cells during polymicrobial sepsis.
  
  
  METHODS
  On day 1 after cecal ligation and puncture, mice were treated with either saline, 100 (A100), 200 (A200), or 400 mg APS/kg body weight (BW) (A400) by an intraperitoneal injection daily for 4 days. All mice were sacrificed 5 days after the operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  APS treatment reversed the sepsis-induced decrement in the T helper (Th) cell population, and the percentage of activated Th cells also increased in the spleen and Peyer's patches. APS administration downregulated the percentages of circulating Th2 cells and regulatory T cells (Treg), and the percentage of Th17 cells in blood was upregulated in the A400 group. Weight loss and kidney injury were attenuated in the A100 and A200 groups but not in the A400 group at the end of the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatments with 100 and 200 mg APS/kg BW reduced Treg populations and elicited a more-balanced Th1/Th2 response that consequently attenuated immunosuppression in polymicrobial sepsis. High-dose APS administration led to excessive responses of Th17 cells which may have adverse effects in sepsis-induced organ injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan ; School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Chen
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jin-Ming
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-Yang
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-Hsun
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kuen-Yuan
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Sung-Ling
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan ; Department of Medical Education and Bioethics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-Tsan
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D027883:Astragalus Plant / Q000737:chemistry*; D016764:Cell Polarity; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000032:analysis; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D011134:Polysaccharides; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma