Effect Of Rishen Runzao Decoction On NOD Mice In Sjogren 's Syndrome And Its Mechanism

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the curative effect of Zeng Ye Run Zao decoction on primary Sjogren’s syndrome and further explore its underlying mechanism involving BAFF, aquaporin 5(AQP5), T and B lymphocyte. The animal model for this research was SS NOD model mice, and the saliva flow, submandibular gland index, morphological structures of salivary glands, BAFF expression levels, AQP-5 protein expression levels, T and B lymphocyte in the submandibular glands were determined.Methods40 female 8-weeks-old female NOD mice were randomly divided into 5 groups:the model group, low dose group, middle dose group, high dose group and positive medicine hydroxychloroquine group; meanwhile eight Balb/C mice were chosen as control group (normal group). The low, middle, high dose groups were intragastrically administered with 10.5g/kg、21g/kg、 42g/kg Zengye Runzao Decoction respectively. The hydroxychloroquine group was intragastrically administered with 60g/kg hydroxychloroquine. The normal and models were intragastrically administered with pure water. After 8 weeks, the changes of salivary secretion were observed. Bilateral submandibular glands were resected to calculate organ indexes. The histopathological changes were examined by hematein eosin staining and scaled each group according to the Chisholm-Mason histologic grading standard. And examine the infiltration degree of the T, B lymphocytes and the expression of AQP5 and BAFF in the submandibular using immunohistochemical method. The BAFF in serum were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsThe saliva flow and the submandibular gland index were significantly reduced in the model group. (P<0.05, compared with those in the control group), and significantly increased following hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets (HST), ZYRZ treatment (P<0.05, compared with those of the model group). Submandibular gland atrophy, fibrous tissue hyperplasia and multiple focal lymphocytic infiltration were observed in the model group and were attenuated when subjected to HST and ZYRZ treatment. The AQP-5 expression levels increased, BAFF expression levels declined, the infiltrates of T and B lymphocyte submandibular gland following HST and ZYRZ treatment (P<0.05, compared with those of the model group). This result indicated that ZYE had a significant protective effect on pSS via upregulation aquaporin-5 expression levels and downregulation of lymphoid infiltrates.ConclusionThe infiltrates of T and B lymphocyte in submandibular gland of NOD mice and the harm of submandibular gland were alleviated following ZYRZ treatment.The exocrine function of submandibular gland in NOD mice was reduced due to the increase of AQP-5 expression levels and the decline of BAFF expression levels following ZYRZ treatment.ZYRZ has a good protection effect on Sjogren’s syndrome and the mechanism was that ZYRZ can reduce the organic disease and improve the exocrine function of submandibular gland.