Effects of Astragalus Polysaccharides on Level of Cytokines and Pathological Structure of Lung Tissue in Rat Model of Pulmoanry Fibrosis

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Astragalus polysaccharides on the levels of IFN-γ、IL-4 and TNF-α in serum and pathological structure of lung tissue in BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis rats.MethodsSixty wistar rats were divided randomly into normal,model,Astragalus decoction and Astragalus polysaccharide groups.Pulmonary fibrosis model was established by injection of Bleomycin(BLM) via trachea(5mg/kg).After 24h,rats were given drugs by ig in all groups once daily.On d14 and d28,6 rats were killed and the lungs were collected for observing pathological structure of lung tissue by HE staining.Interleukin-4(IL-4),interferon gamma(IFN-γ) and Tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in serum were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).ResultsCompared with normal group,IFN-γ content was significantly lowered,while IL-4 and TNF-α were considerably increased in model group(P0.05);compared with model group,IFN-γ content was significantly elevated(P0.05),IL-4,TNF-α levels were significantly decreased(P0.05).The degree of fibrosis was alleviated in Astragalus decoction and Astragalus polysaccharide groups(P0.05).ConclusionAstragalus polysaccharides tain protective effect by regulating pulmonary fibrosis in rat Ⅰ/Ⅱ type cytokines balance and TNF-α level,thereby interfering with the occurrence of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis and development.