EFFECT OF ASTRAGALUS INJECTION ON THE SURVIVAL OF THE ALLOGRAFTS OF SKIN IN MICE

Objective To study the effect of astragalus injection on the survival of the skin allografts in mice and its mechanism. Methods A mouse model of alloskin grafting was created.Astragalus injection and CTX were administered intraperitoneally.The effect of astragalus on survival of the graft was observed.With radioligand banding assay of receptors(RBA),the quantity of GR in the animal spleen cells at different times before and after the transplantation and after administration of astragalus injection and CTX were detected.Cortisol concentration in serum was examined via radioimmunoassay(RIA). ResultsCompared with that of the controls,the survival duration of the allografts in mice treated with astragalus alone,astragalus and CTX,and CTX alone were prolonged significantly(F=48.58;q=5.11-14.48;P0.05).The amount of GR in spleen cells in control group decreased significantly in day 14 after transplantation vs non-transplanted(F=48.44;q=10.95;P0.05),and the amount of GR in CTX group decreased more than the control(q=4.22,P0.05).Astragalus increased GR level to normal level,compared with the control,the different was significant(q=11.79,P0.05);but not significant vs non-transplanted(q=0.84,P0.05).Astragalus+CTX reversed the low GR level of CTX(q=10.72,P0.05).The cortisol concentration of the control group rose markedly on day 14 after transplantation vs the non-transplanted(F=29.46;q=7.64;P0.05),while that of CTX group decreased vs control(q=3.46,P0.05).Astragalus alone and Astragalus+CTX enhanced the serum cortisol concentration vs the control(q=4.54,5.22;P0.05). Conclusion Astragalus injection can inhibit the rejection of the allograft and prolong its survival.The mechanisim might be associated with upregulating the amount of GR and serum cortisol,and increase the action of endogenous glucocorticoid.