Wenshen Side Effects Of Experimental Autoimmune Thyroiditis Cytokine Expression

Objective: To investigate the effect and the mechanism of Wen Shen Fang in the treatment of EAT( by observing pathological changes and analyzing thyroid hormones, IL-1α,IL-2, IL-6β, TNF-α,IFN-γ, autoimmune antibodiesand apoptosis index in thyroid tissues).Methods: EAT model was established in SD rats by the injection of swine thyroglobin combined with adjuvant. The rats were treated with Wen Shen Fang for 12 weeks, using Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook f as control. Pathological Changes were observed in thyroid tissues and its mechanism was studies by analyzing the relative expressions of IL-1α, IL-2, IL-6 β, TNF-α, IFN-γ.Result: Pathological changes were found in all EAT rats without any treatment and some of EAT rats treated with Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook f or Wen Shen Fang, including degeneration and necrosis of follicle epithelium, infiltration of inflammatory cells, atrophy of follicle, and formation of interstitial f ibrosis. The degrees of pathological changes were significantly severe in EAT rats without treatment than in EAT rats treated with Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook f or Wen Shen Fang. Rats of normal control showed no pathological changes. Relative expressions of IL—1, IL-2, IL-6 and TNF, γ-IFN were significantly lower in EAT rats treated with Wen Shen Fang than in EAT rats without treatment (P<0.05). The number of apoptotic thyroid cells were fewer in normal control and rats treated with Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook f or Wen shen fang than in EAT rats without treatment (P<0. 05).Conclusion: Wen Shen Fang has a similar therapeutic effect of Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook f on EAT. The mechanism by which Wen Shen Fang and Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook f exert their effects may be through the...