Expression of cerebral cytokine-IFN-γ and interventional mechanism of Chinese medicinal with actions of replenishing qi and reinforce the healthy qi in rat spleen-deficiency model

Objective To study the changes of expressions of cerebral interferon-γ(IFN-γ) and interleukin-4(IL-4) in spleen-deficiency rat model,and the interventional effects of Chinese medicinal with actions of replenishing qi and reinforce the healthy qi.MethodsAll rats(n=40) were randomly divided into the normal group,model group,treatment group 1(T group 1,treated with Sijunzi Decoction) and treatment group 2(T group 2,treated with Yupingfeng Powder,each n=10).The spleen-deficiency model was established in rats by using the methods of purgation,improper diet and over strain.The indexes of immune organs were detected by applying weighing method.The expressions of cerebral IFN-γ,IL-4 and IFN-γ-mRNA in the ventral nucleus of hypothalamus and CA1 zone of hippocampus,and therapeutic effects of Sijunzi Decoction and Yupingfeng Powder were detected by applying immunohistochemistrical assay and in situ hybridization.ResultsIn the model group the indexes of thymus and spleen,and IFN-γ expression decreased significantly,and IL-4 expression increased significantly in the ventral nucleus of hypothalamus and CA1 zone of hippocampus.In T group 1 and T group 2 the indexes of thymus and spleen,and IFN-γ and IFN-γ-mRNA expressions increased significantly,while LI-4 expression decreased significantly.ConclusionSijunzi Decoction and Yupingfeng Powder,with the actions of replenishing qi and reinforce the healthy qi,can regulate the immunologic function of the body through influencing immune organs and controlling the expressions of brain IFN-γ and IL-4.