ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)combined with Huaiqihuang on hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) in rats. Methods Fifty rats were randomly divided into five groups according to the random number table method:normal control group (group A), prednisone group (group B), Huaiqihuang group (group C), ACTH group (group D) and combined treatment group (group E) with 10 rats in each group. Rats in group B, C, D and E were gavaged by acetic acid prednisone water solution 12.5 mg/(kg · d) for 4 weeks to establish HPA axis suppression model. Group A was given distilled water 10 mL/(kg·d) as control. Rats in group C and E were gavaged with Huaiqihuang 5 g/(kg·d) 30 minutes after intragastric administration of prednisone acetate. At the third week of the experiment, group D and E were subcutaneous injected with ACTH 200 μg/(kg·d). The serum cortisol levels were measured respectively at the start of the ex?periment, 2 weeks and 4 weeks of experiment. Animals were sacrificed at the end of the experiment, and then weights of the pituitary, adrenal glands and the viscera index were calculated. The pathological changes of the pituitary and adrenal glands were observed by HE stainning. Results After 2 weeks, the serum cortisol levels were significantly lower in group B, C, D and E than those of group A (Pgroup D>group C (P<0.05). At the same time, the weights of pituitary and adrenal gland and the viscera in?dex were higher in the three groups than those of B group (P<0.05). The HE staining showed that there were no significant changes in the distal part of the pituitary gland in five groups. The adrenal cortex zona was thinning and the structure was dis?ordered in group B. There were different degrees of hyperplasia in group C, group D, and group E, which was the most obvi?ous in group E. Conclusion ACTH combined with Huaiqihuang can promote adrenal cortex zona hyperplasia and cortisol secretion, which reduces the glucocorticoid induced inhibition of HPA axis in rats.
ABSTRACT
Aim To investigate the protective effects of chrysophanol( Chry) on immune function of lead poi-soning mice. Methods The lead poisoning model was established by peritoneally injecting mice with 7 mg · kg-1 lead acetate every day for 8 days. After Chry was ip injected for 14 days,spleen and thymus index, the white blood cell count, T, B lymphocyte proliferation, phagocytic function of macrophages, natural killer cell ( NK cell) activity were detected. The concentrations of IFN-γ,IL-2,IL-4,IL-10 in the lead poisoning mice ser-um were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA) . Results Intraperitoneal injection of 7 mg · kg-1 lead acetate for 8 consecutive days could cause an immunity decline in lead poisoning mice, Chry could significantly improve the immunity of lead poisoning mice. Compared with model group, Chry sig-nificantly improved growth rate, viscera index and white blood cell count of lead poisoning mice at differ-ent extent ( P0. 05 ) , only IL-10 was significantly increased in Chry ( 0 . 1 mg · kg-1 ) treatment group ( P<0 . 05 ) . Conclusion Chry can significantly improve the im-mune function of lead poisoning mice.
ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the effects of alcohol extract of juglans mandshurica maxim (AEBJ) on immune function of ionizing irradiated mice.Methods The mice were randomly divided into normal control group,irradiating control group,low AEBJ(300 mg?kg-1)irradiating group,high AEBJ(600 mg? kg-1)irradiating group,low AEBJ plus drugs only group and high AEBJ plus drugs only group.The number of WBC and LYMPH,LYMPH%,viscera index,ability of lymphocytes transformation were examined.Results Compared with normal control group,the number of WBC and LYMPH,LYMPH%,viscera index,ability of lymphocytes transformation in irradiating control group were decreased significantly (P