Zhao Fu-dong, Dong Jing-cheng, Xie Jin-yu
Lab of Integrative Medicine for Lung, Inflammation and Cancers, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai.
Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2007 Aug;27(8):715-9.
To study changes of several related indexes of neuro-endocrino-immune (NEI) network in rat asthma model, and to observe effects of epimedium herb (EH, a Chinese herb for replenishing Shen) and milkvetch root (MR, a Chinese herb for strengthening qi) on these indexes.
One hundred and twenty male healthy Brown Norway rats of clean grade were randomly divided into 11 groups. Their mRNA expression of corticoid release hormone (CRH) in hypothalamus was tested by Realtime-PCR, serum ACTH and CORT, IL-6, IL-4, IFN-gamma were detected with radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay respectively and pathological changes of lung tissue were observed with hematoxylin and eosin stain.
As compared with the normal group, mRNA expression of CRH in hypothalamic tissue, plasma ACTH and serum concentration of IFN-gamma not changed significantly, but serum level of CORT raised significantly and the pre-inflammatory factors IL-6 and IL-4 showed an increasing trend in the model rats. As compared with the model group, level of CRH mRNA expression in groups treated with low dose and moderate dose of both EH and the formula (HE and MR), IFN-gamma in group treated with moderate dose of EH and serum CORT in group treated with low dose of MR were higher, and serum levels of IL-4 and IL-6 in groups treated with high dose of MR were lower.
Rats suffered from repeated asthmatic attack for three weeks had some disorders in indexes of NEI network. Chinese herbs for replenish Shen and strengthening qi could improve the function of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and adjust the balance of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, which might be one of the mechanisms of Chinese herbs for treatment of repeated asthma attack.
研究大鼠哮喘模型神经 - 内分泌 - 免疫（NEI）网络相关指标的变化，观察淫羊藿（EH，补肾中药）和黄芪（MR，补气中药）对这些指标的影响。
将120只清洁级健康雄性挪威棕色大鼠随机分为11组。采用实时荧光定量PCR检测下丘脑促肾上腺皮质激素释放激素（CRH）的mRNA表达，分别用放射免疫法和酶联免疫吸附法检测血清促肾上腺皮质激素（ACTH）、皮质酮（CORT）、白细胞介素 - 6（IL - 6）、白细胞介素 - 4（IL - 4）、干扰素 - γ（IFN - γ），并用苏木精 - 伊红染色观察肺组织病理变化。
与正常组相比，模型大鼠下丘脑组织CRH的mRNA表达、血浆ACTH及血清IFN - γ浓度无明显变化，但血清CORT水平显著升高，炎症前因子IL - 6和IL - 4呈上升趋势。与模型组相比，低剂量和中剂量淫羊藿及配方（淫羊藿和黄芪）治疗组的CRH mRNA表达水平、中剂量淫羊藿治疗组的IFN - γ及低剂量黄芪治疗组的血清CORT较高，高剂量黄芪治疗组的血清IL - 4和IL - 6水平较低。
反复哮喘发作3周的大鼠NEI网络指标存在一定紊乱。补肾补气中药可改善下丘脑 - 垂体 - 肾上腺轴功能，调节Th1和Th2细胞因子平衡，这可能是中药治疗反复哮喘发作的机制之一。
