Effects of Thalidomide on the Changes of Lymphocyte Subsets in Rats with Severe Acute Pancreatitis

Objective To investigate the changes of lymphocyte subsets in rats with severe acute pancreatitis(SAP) and evaluate the effectiveness of thalidomide.Methods Fifty four SD rats were randomly divided into the three groups:the SAP group(group S),treatment group(group T) and the control group(group C).In each group there were 18 rats.Each group was divided into three different time measuring points:3th,6th,12th hour respectively.The models of SAP were induced by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate into the bili-pancreatic duct.Group T was made by administering thalidomide(200 mg /kg orally) at 1 h after SAP model was made.Group C was made just by tipping the pancreas.The proportion of Treg and lymphocyte subsets among peripheral lymphocytes was determined by flow cytometry.Results(1) Compared with group C,the percentage of CD4 + cell in the group S was higher significantly at the 3th,6th hour,and decreased significantly at 12 h(all P 0.05) ;the percentage of CD8 + cell in the group S decreased significantly at the 6th,12th hour(all P 0.05) ;the percentage of CD4 + CD25 + cell in the group S decreased significantly at three time points(all P 0.05) ;the percentage of CD3 + -ICOS + cell in the group S decreased significantly at 6 th,12th hour.(2) Compared with group S,the percentage of CD4 + cell in the group T decreased significantly at 6th hour,and was higher significantly at the 12th hour(all P 0.05) ;the percentage of CD8 + cell in the T group was higher significantly at the 12th hour(P 0.05) ;the percentage of CD4 + CD25 + cells in the group T was higher at 12th hour,but there was no significant difference(P 0.05) ;the percentage of CD3 + -ICOS + cell in the T group was higher significantly at the 12th hour(P 0.05).⑶The pathological scores of pancreatic tissue in the group S was increased significantly at three time points,compared with group C(all P 0.05) ;the pathological scores of pancreatic tissue in the group T decreased significantly at three time points,compared with the group S(all P 0.05).Conclusion Thalidomide can improve the immunologic derangement in rates with severe acute pancreatitis.