Regulation of Sophora japonica extract on Th17/Treg cell balance in rheumatoid arthritis rats
LUAN Zhongqiu1 XIANG Yue2 LI Qiuhong3 WANG Jikun1
1.Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Heilongjiang Province, Harbin 150040, China;
2.Graduate School, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Heilongjiang Province, Harbin 150040, China;
3.Library, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Heilongjiang Province, Harbin 150040, China
Abstract：Objective To investigate the effect of Sophora japonica extract on the balance of helper T cells/regulatory T cells (Th17/Treg) in rheumatoid arthritis rats. Methods Fifty male SD rats were fed adaptively for 7 days. Qualified rats were selected and randomly divided into normal group, model group and Sophora japonica group, with 15 rats in each group. A rat model of type Ⅱ collagen induced arthritis was established. Sophora japonica group was given 300 mg/(kg·d) of Sophora japonica extract by gastric perfusion on the 21st day of model establishment, once a day. After 4 weeks of treatment, serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-17, IL-21, IL-23 and IL-27 were measured by ELISA. The ratio of Th17/Treg in peripheral blood was detected by flow cytometry. The pathological changes of ankle joint were observed by pathological section. Results Compared with the model group, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17, IL-21 and IL-23 in the serum of rats in Sophora japonica group decreased significantly, the levels of IL-10 and IL-27 increased significantly, and the ratio of Th17/Treg in peripheral blood decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Conclusion Sophora japonica can induce cytopoiesis of Tregs while interfering with the differentiation of Th17 by regulating the related immunocytokines, which improves Th17/Treg imbalance, thus exerting therapeutic effect for rheumatoid arthritis.
2019, Vol. 16 
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