ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Xiaoying Ruanjian Decoction on experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) from the levels of autoantibodies, interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor-? and apoptosis-regulated proteins Fas/Fasl of EAT rats, and investigate the mechanism from the relation between cytokines and apoptosis-regulated proteins. Methods Sixty SD female rats of SPF level were divided into normal group and model group. An animal model of EAT in rats was developed by injecting thyroglobulin mixed with Freund’s adjuvant immunization and drinking periodate water. The rats modeled were divided into Chinese medicine group, western medicine group and model group. The levels of autoantibodies, interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor-? were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The level change of Fas/Fasl in the thyroid of rat was observed with immunohistochemical staining. Results Ruanjian Xiaoying Decoction significantly reduced the levels of autoantibody, interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor-? and lowered the expression of Fas and Fasl in thyroid cells. Conclusion Ruanjian Xiaoying Decoction alleviates the levels of apoptosis-regulated proteins Fas/Fasl by decreasing the relative expression of antibodies and cytokines in serum levels, which plays a role in reducing apoptosis of thyroid cells.