[Modified Cheng's Juanbi Decoction reduces cAMP level of T lymphocytes in peripheral blood and CD4/CD8 T cell ratio among rats with adjuvant arthritis].

Objective To investigate the effects of modified Cheng's Juanbi Decoction (CJBD) on the level of cAMP in T lymphocytes and CD4/CD8 T cell ratio among rats with adjuvant arthritis (AA). Methods Male adult SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, AA group, CJBD group, and tripterygium glycosides tablet (TGT) group. Blowing/cold water and Freund's complete adjuvant were used to establish a rat model of AA with wind-cold-dampness arthralgia. The control group was given normal saline by gavage, and the CJBD group and TGT group were given respective therapies. The course of treatment was 7 days for all groups. Blood was collected from the orbit, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated. Magnetic activated cell sorting was used to separate T lymphocytes. A cAMP detection kit was used to measure the cAMP levels in T lymphocytes. Flow cytometry was performed to determine the numbers of CD4 and CD8 T cells in peripheral T cells, and the CD4/CD8 T cell ratio was calculated. Results Compared with the normal control group, the CJBD group had significantly reduced expression of cAMP in T lymphocytes, but there was no significant difference in cAMP level between the TGT group and the normal control group. The CJBD group had a significantly lower CD4/CD8 T cell ratio than the normal control group. Conclusion CJBD can reduce the cAMP level in T lymphocytes and CD4/CD8 T cell ratio in rats with AA.