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Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effects of astragalus polysaccharides (A P S) with different molecular weights on the pulmonary inflammaton in the asthmatic mice, and to elucidate their mechanisms. Methods: A total of 30 female BALB/c mice were selected. They were randomly divided into normal control group, asthma model group (model group), low molecular weight APS (APS-low) group, midde molecular wieght APS (APS-middle) and high molecular weight APS (APS-high) group, with 6 mice in each group. The mouse models of asthma in model group and APS groups were established by injecting and inhaling ovalbumin (OVA). The mice in APS-low, APS-middle and APS- high groups were separately given 0. 1 mL of 4 500, 15 000, 30 000 molecular weight APS for intrapeitoneal injecton before inhaled OVA The mice in normal control group were treated with the same amount of normal saline instead of OVA injected and inhalled. The behavioral changes of the mice were observed during the atomization with OVA, and the total number of WBC and the counts of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were observed with light microscope; the pathological changes of lung tissue was observed by HE staining. Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) method was used to detect the levels of IL-4 and IFN -y in the serum as well as BALF. The spleen CD4 T cells were extracted and cultured, and the ratios of T h l, Th2, Thl7 and Treg cells were detected by flow cytometry. CBA method was used to detect the levels of IL-4, IFN-y, IL-17, and IL-10 in the culture supernatant. Results: Compared with normal control group, the mice in model group showed asthma-like symptoms such as sneezing, snouting nose and shortness of breath, inflammatory infiltration of lung tissue, airway mucosal edema, smooth muscle thickening; the IL-4 levels in serum and BALF were increased (P < 0 . 05), and the IFN-y levels in serum and BALF were significantly decreased (P < 0 . 05); IL-4 and IL-17 levels in cell culture supernatant were significantly increased (P < 0 . 05), and the IFN-y and IL-10 levels were significantly decreased (P < 0 . 05); the ratios of Th2 and Thl7 cells were significantly increased (P < 0 . 05), and the ratios of T h l and Treg cells were significantly decreased (P < 0 . 05). Compared with model group, the asthmatic symptoms of the mice in APS groups, for example, scratching nose and mouth, shortness of breath, and irritability, were relieved to varying degrees; the inflammatory cell infiltration and wall thickening were significantly improved; the levels of IL-4 in serum and BALF were significantly reduced (P < 0 . 05), and the IFN -y levels were increased (P < 0 . 05); the levels of IL-4 and IL-17 in the culture supernatant were significantly reduced (P < 0 . 05) and the levels of IFN-y and IL-10 were increased (P < 0 . 05); the ratios of Th2 and Thl7 cells were significantly decreased (P < 0 . 05), and the ratos of T h l and Treg cells were increased (P < 0 . 05). Compared between three APS groups, the asthmatic symptoms and lung tissue inflammatory infiltration were lightened obviously in APS-low group, the IL-4 levels and the ratios of Th2 and Thl7 cells in serum and BALF were significantly decreased (P < 0. 05), and the IFN-y levels in serum and BALF and the ratios of Th2 and Thl7 cells were significantly increased (P < 0 . 05). Conclusion: APS can significantly improve the situaton of airway inflammaton infiltraton and the symptoms of the asthmatic mice. APS plays a therapeutic role for asthma by regulating the Th 1 / Th 2 and Th l7 / Treg cell balance, decreasing the levels of IL-4 and IL-17 and increasing the levels of IFN -y and IL-10 level; the low molecular weight APS shows an obvious effect.
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Objective To investigate the effects of mild pefioperative hypothermia on cellular immune function in patients undergoing surgery for rectal cancer.Methods Fifty ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients aged 30-64 yr undergoing surgery for rectal cancer were randomly divided into 2 groups ( n =25 each):mild hypothermia group and normal body temperature group.Anesthesia was induced with midazolam,fentanyl,etomidate and vecuronium and maintained with propofol,remifentanil and vecuronium.The patients were mechanically ventilated after tracheal intubation.PET CO2 was maintained at 35-45 mm Hg.The venous blood samples were taken from peripheral vein at 1 h before anesthesia (T1 ),at the end of operation (T2),at 24 h after operation (T3),and on 7th day after operation (T4) to measure the serum Th1 and Th2 cytokines levels and Th1/Th2 cytokines balance was observed.Results Compared with the baseline value at T1,the serum Th2 cytokines level was significantly decreased and Th1/Th2 ratio was significantly increased at T4 in normal body temperature group,and the serum Th1 cytokines level and Th1/Th2 ratio were significantly decreased and the serum Th2 cytokines level was significantly increased at T2.3 in mild hypothermia group ( P ＜ 0.05).Compared with normal body temperature group,the serum Th1 cytokines level and Th1/Th2 ratio were significantly decreased and the serum Th2 cytokines level was significantly increased at T2-4 in mild hypothermia group ( P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Mild perioperative hypothermia can depress cellular immune function in patients undergoing surgery for rectal cancer.
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Objective To investigate the effects of andrographolide on the expressions of Th1 cytokine [interferon (IFN)-γ] mRNA and Th2 cytokines [interleukin (ID-4, IL-10] mRNA of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and its anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) activity. Methods PBMCs from CHB patients were cultured with 10 mg/L andrographolide (experimental group) or 0.1% DMSO (control group). HepG2. 2. 15 cells were stimulated with andrographolide of different concentrations (experimental group) or adefovir (control group). The expressions of IFN-γ mRNA, IL-4 mRNA and IL-10 mRNA of PBMCs and the replication of HBV DNA in HepG2. 2. 15 cell line were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Results The expression of IFN-γ mRNA in PBMCs cultured with 10 mg/L andrographolide for 16 h was higher than that in control group (Z=-2. 78, P=0. 05), and the expressions of IL-4 and IL-10mRNA in experimental group were lower than control group (Z= -3. 82, P<0. 01), while the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 mRNA was higher than control group (Z= - 3. 82, P<0. 01). Andrographolide with different concentrations had no effect on the replication of HBV DNA in HepG2. 2.15 cells ((=11. 88, P>0.05). However, adefovir had inhibitory effect on the replication of HBV DNA (t =15. 95,P< 0. 05). Conclusion Andrographolide can regulate the expressions of IFN-γ mRNA, IL-4 mRNA and IL-10 mRNA in PBMCs from CHB patients and improve Thl/Th2 balance, while it has no effect on the replication of HBV DNA.
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IL-18 was discovered as a proinflammatoty cytokine,stimulates natural killer and T cells and enhances Th1/Th2 immune response, and plays a central role in inflammation and immune response.. Immune-stimulating effects of IL-18 as a adjuvent agent against cancer,have antineoplastic properi-ties. However, Higher expression or secretion level of IL- 18 is detected in the blood of the majority of cancer pa-tients with poor prongnosis. IL-18 has also been associated with cancer progression and immune escape,is able to induce angiogenesis, metastasis. The dual effects of IL-18 in cancer need to be investigated further.
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Objective To detect the levels of Th1 and Th2 type cytokines of peripheral CD+4 T lymphocytes in patients with colonic cancer in order to find out the significance of variance of imbalance in clinical therapy.Methods The peripheral blood lymphocytes were stimulated by stimulator in order to enhance the expression of cytokines.Then a specific fluorochrome-conjugated monoclonal antibody was added to be combined with its specific antigen.Cytokines were detected by flow cytometry.Results The levels of Th1 type cytokines such as interferon-γ/(INF-γ),interleukin-2(IL-2)were significantly lower in patients of colonic cancer than those of normal controls.The levels of Th2 type cytokines such as interleukin-4(IL-4),interleukin-6(IL-6)and interleukin-10(IL-10)were higher in patients of colonic cancer than those of normal controls.Conclusion Th1/Th2 shihs in colonic cancer.It is suggested that the levels of INF-γ/IL-4 in colonic cancer may provide clinical index for the prognosis and evaluation of immunity.