Hindawi BioMed Research International Volume 2019, Article ID 6012473, 7 pages https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/6012473 Research Article Shashen-Maidong Decoction-Mediated IFN-� and IL-4 on the Regulation of Th1/Th2 Imbalance in RP Rats Yuan Yang1 and Yanping Zhou 2 Graduate School, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan, China Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China Correspondence should be addressed to Yanping Zhou; [email protected] Received 31 January 2019; Revised 13 April 2019; Accepted 16 May 2019; Published 24 June 2019 Academic Editor: Frederick D. Quinn Copyright © 2019 Yuan Yang and Yanping Zhou. Tis is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricteduse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Objective. Studying correlative changes of T1/T2 (T, Helper T cells) related factor Interferon-� (IFN-�) and Interleukin-4 (IL-4) in the progression of radiation pneumonia (RP) rats and the efcacy of Shashen-Maidong decoction on these indexes to explore the immune mechanism of the decoction on the prevention and treatment of RP. Methods. Male 60 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups. In addition to the normal control group taking saline, the other rats were set up RP model treated with Shashen-Maidong decoction or dexamethasone (DXM), respectively. Te IFN-� and IL-4 concentrations in serum nd th and bronchoalveolar lavage fuid (BALF) of rats were tested in the 2 and 4 week afer radiation, and the relative ratio of IFN- �/IL-4 was calculated. Results. (1) Tere was signifcant diference of serum IL-4 concentrations in group B (p<0.01) and extreme th diference in groups C and D (p<0.001) compared with group A in 4 week. Compared with group D, IL-4 concentrations in group nd th B increased signifcantly in both 2 and 4 week (p<0.01). Group B had signifcantly decreased IFN-� concentrations in BALF th (p<0.001) compared with group D in the 4 week. And IFN-� concentrations in BALF in group B were increased compared with th group C in the 4 week (p<0.05). (2) Tere was no diference of the relative ratio of IFN-�/IL-4 at each time in groups B and A for both serum and BALF, while the ratios in groups C and D in 4th week in BALF were increased (p<0.05) compared to group A. Conclusion. Shashen-Maidong decoction can improve the immune function of RP rats by increasing IFN-� concentration and decreasing IL-4 concentration, possibly by increasing the relative ratio of IFN-�/IL-4 to regulate the immune imbalance of T1/T2. 1. Introduction suggested that the immune imbalance pathogenesis of RP can be elaborated and regulated by eliminating pathogen to RP is an acute pulmonary-related disease with early injury support Qi and Yin, which can be used as the theoretical and of aseptic infammation by chest radioactive radiation. Te experimental basis for clinical treatment. damage of collaterals in lung caused by radiation heat-toxicity Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes radioac- developed from initial symptoms like occasional tachypnea tive radiation, such as X-ray, has the characteristics of high and oppression in chest to parched mouth, cough, and even heat-source property with fast speed and strong penetra- hemoptysis subsequently [1]. Tese symptoms are the lack tion. It can be classifed as the pathogenic factor of heat- of Qi (a generic concept, similar to “function”, especially toxicity in Febrile disease which contains the pathogenic for energy metabolism) and Yin (belonging to Yin-Yang characteristics of external invasion and remarkable thermal theory; here is the implication of immunity) manifesta- property. Tis leads to the damage of Fei-Zang (lung and tions afer the exogenous pathogenic caloradiance invades surrounding tissues) directly by depleting Qi and blood and organisms. In addition, diferent degree of Primordial-Qi fnally defciency of Yin. Shashen-Maidong decoction, the (the most essential Qi in body and the vital foundation of representative prescription of “Yang-Yin Sheng-Jin” method, life, containing the ability of anti-immunity) can also refect nourishing Yin to promote the product of Jin (body fuid, the strength of immune function. Organisms cannot resist whose function is similar to immunity), has good efects exogenous pathogenic factors due to the defciency of Fei- on the clinical treatment of early radiation-induced lung Qi (lung function) which may exacerbate the disease. It is injury [2, 3]. We have carried on a long-term work on the 2 BioMed Research International mechanism of preventive and therapeutic efcacy on RP 3. Methods by Shashen-Maidong decoction [4–6]. Tis study furtherly explored the function of Shashen-Maidong decoction on .. Establishment of RP Rat Model. Rats, weighed before the immune imbalance based on the “Yang-Yin Sheng-Jin” irradiation, were anesthetized by 0.03ml/kg with 10% chloral method. hydrate. 6MV linear accelerator X-ray was used for single At an earlier stage, there was a hot discussion on the rela- chest irradiation (total dose 20Gy). Te model of RP rats was tionship between TCM syndromes and immune cytokines, established in a relatively short time (see previous research which induced the connection of Yin and immunity [7]. protocol [5]). Ultraviolet radiation was used to sterilize the According to a study at present, the mechanism of RP accelerator room before irradiation. Tis process was carried relates to both immune imbalance and defciency of Yin out in the Tumor Radiotherapy Department of the First [8]. As shown in Figure 1, the disorder of proinfammatory Hospital of Wuhan City. Afer modeling, the rats were sent factor and anti-infammatory factor in the development of back to be kept in a routine way. RP will lead to imbalance in cellular immunity, especially .. Grouping and Administration. 60 rats were randomly in the homeostasis of T1/T2. Besides, IFN-� and IL-4 divided into 4 groups: normal control group (group A), are the most typical cytokines of T1 and T2, respec- Shashen-Maidong decoction group (group B), dexametha- tively. Here is a hypothesis that Shashen-Maidong decoction sone treatment group (group C), and modeling control can strengthen Yin and Jin to eliminate pathogenic factor group (group D), with 15 rats each, respectively. Each rat to explore further mechanism of the prescription on the was numbered and marked with picric acid, and then rats immune function of RP rats. Our research aims to provide were grouped into cages. According to the “Methodology a profound analysis for the application of Shashen-Maidong of Pharmacology of TCM” [9], the dosage by intragastric decoction in the treatment of RP. Namely, it can be high- administration was calculated converting from the standard lighted by regulating T1/T2 and getting feedback on cor- of adult physiological weight (the conversion coefcient relations through the concentration change and proportion of rat/200g corresponding to human/70kg was 0.018); we of IFN-� and IL-4 in the Lung and peripheral blood of RP followed and calculated the dosage of Shashen-Maidong rats. decoction as 5.15 ml/kg. Likewise, the dosage of DXM suspension was 5.2 ml/kg. Other groups (A, D) received the 2. Materials same amount of saline. Except group B, which began to take .. Animal. Male 8-week-old SD rats were studied, which Shashen-Maidong decoction for 1 week before irradiation, were bought from the Research Center of Laboratory Animal other groups were given corresponding intragastric admin- in Hubei Province, No. SCXK(e)20080005. Tese 60 rats istration on the second day afer modeling. Te rats were weighing 220±50g were housed individually in stainless weighed once a week during the intervention, and gastric ∘ steel cages in a controlled environment (22±3 C, 40% ∼ perfusion was adjusted once a week according to the body 70% humidity, with a 12-hour light and dark cycle) for 5- weight change: weight gain = current week weigh — weight day acclimation period. All rats were given free diet and before experiment. drinking water during the experiment. We ensured that all .. Specimen Collection. Afer 2 and 4 weeks of intragastric animals were normal so as not to afect the results of the administration, 6 rats in each group were weighed and experiment by keeping the lab clean, checking the equipment anesthetized with 10% chloral hydrate. Each rat toke 10 ml regularly, and observing the rats' diet, defecation, spirit, abdominal aorta blood for further testing. Te lung tissues etc. were isolated, and the lef lung, 3ml × 3 times, was perfused ∘ with BALF. Ten the serum (5000r/min,4 C, 5min) was taken .. Prescription. Shashen-Maidong decoction (purchased from blood and lavage fuid afer centrifugation and stored in from the Chinese Pharmacy of the frst Hospital of Wuhan ∘ -20 C refrigerator. Te results were determined according to City) is composed of Coastal-Glehnia-root (Shashen) 18g, the instructions of rat IFN-� and IL-4 Elisa kit. Phyllostachys ofcinalis (Hou Po) 12g, Ophiopogon japoni- cus (Maidong) 18g, Snake gourd root 9g, Lentils 9g, Mulberry .. Main Determination Methodology leaf 9g, liquorice 6g, and wolferry root-bar 18g. Te original medicine preparation was placed in the rotary evaporator Histopathology Examination. Te lung tissues of rats were (Yarong, Shanghai). Ten we obtained medicine solution fxed with Formaldehyde, pruned and put into the embedding with a concentration of 2g/ml which was concentrated at ∘ ∘ cassettes, dehydrated with alcohol, placed in xylene for 90 C at 0.07mpa and stored at 4 C in a high pressure transparency, and embedded with parafn. Ten we fxed sterilization refrigerator. them to the slicing machine and cut them into a 5 �mthick slices. Afer that they were put into hot water to be smoothed, ∘ .