[Effects of cordyceps sinensis alcohol extractive on serum interferon-gamma level and splenic T lymphocyte subset in mice with viral myocarditis].

AIM

To investigate the effects of early application of cordyceps sinensis alcohol extractive (CSAE) on myocardial injury, level of serum IFN-gamma and splenic T lymphocyte subset in murine viral myocarditis (VMC).

METHODS

100 male BALB/c mice were divided randomly into control group (CG), infectious group (IG) and CSAE therapy group (CTG). Mice in IG and CTG were infected with Coxsackie virus B3 (CVB3). The 14-day survival rates and myocardial histopathology were observed. Serum IFN-gamma level was detected by ELISA and splenic CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T lymphocytes were detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Serum IFN-gamma level and the percentage of splenic T lymphocyte subset in IG were decreased significantly, and CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio increased significantly as compared with those of CG. Myocardial lesions in CIG were attenuated, while the 14-day survival of mice 85% (vs IG 55%, P<0.05), serum IFN-gamma and the percentage of splenic CD3+, CD8+ T lymphocytes in CTG were significantly higher than those in IG. There were no significant differences of the percentage of T lymphocyte subset and CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio between CTG and CG.

CONCLUSION

CSAE plays an important protective role against viral-induced murine myocarditis by inducing IFN-gamma and regulating T lymphocyte.