Alternation of the Serum Levels of Cytokines IL-4 and IFN-γ in Different Phases Change in Allergic Rhinitis Rat Models

Objective To investigate the alternation of serum level of Th1 and Th2 cytokines such as INF-γand IL-4 at different phases of allergic rhinitis (AR) rat models, and to explore pathologic mechanism of AR. Methods Twenty female SD rats were randomly divided into study group and control group. Ten rats were sensitized by ovalbumin, aluminium hydroxide hydrate gel and Bordelella perlussis inactive microorganism suspension (B.pertussis) adjuvants as AR models, the control rats with aluminium hydroxide hydrate gel, B.pertussis and saline. 0.5 ml peripheral blood were sampled at 2, 4, 8, 12, 36, and 72 h, and 6, 8, and 10 d respectively. The serum level of INF-γ and IL-4 at different sampling time were dected by using ELISA method. Results Eight of 10 SD rats in study group were sensitized as AR rat models. Serum level of IL-4 in AR rat models increased in 4 h after ovalbumin challange (8.7±7.2 pg/ml) and is significantly higher than that of control group (6.1±4.7 pg/ml, P 0.05 respectively). The peak level of IL-4 in study group was observed on day 8 (14.2±9.5 pg/ml), and shown significant difference statistically compared with control group ( 5.7 ±4.6 pg/ml, P 0.05). Serum concentration of INF-γ of test group increased at 4 h and reached maximal level (10.6±8.1 pg/ml) at 12 h. Conclusion Both IL-4 and INF-γ from peripheral T cells in the AR rat models may playe an important role in the development of allergic rhinitis. The effect of INF-γ may dominate at early stage of allergic rhinitis, wheras IL-4 shown predominate effect at late stage of the inflammation.