Research On Immunologic Mechanism Of Shengxian Decoction On Rats With Experimental Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis

Immunologic Mechanism of Myasthenia Gravis has become a hot topic in modern research, especially on T-lymphocyte subsets as well as the cytokine network concerned in the research. Modern TCM clinical practice shows that the method of replenishing qi to ascend collapse represented by Shengxian Decoction is the basic treatment principle for myasthenia gravis in modern TCM. Professor Wu Haoxin, my respected tutor, applies modified Shengxian Decoction to treat myasthenia gravis, which has achieved satisfactory clinical effects. Therefore, this study aims to explore immunologic mechanism of Shengxian Decoction in treating rats with experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis(Experimental Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis, EAMG).Objective:To explore the immunologic mechanism of Shengxian Decoction on rats with experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis by observing the distribution and proportion of T-lymphocyte subsets, the expression of AChR-Ab, Interferon-y(IFN-y), Interleukin2(IL-2), Interleukin4(IL-4), Interleukinl7(IL-17) and transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-β).Methods:1). Lewis rats were made into the model of EAMG by injecting the artificially synthesized peptide derived from the rat sequence 97-116 of the AChR a subunit (R97-116);2)..Rats were weighed twice a week during the experiment, and the electromyography were recorded in rats with reptitive nerve stimulation(RNS) before medication,and the acetylcholine receptor antibody(AChR-Ab) titer in the blood serum of rats were tested with enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELI S A);3)The qualified rats were further divided into adjuvant control group, model control group, western medicine control group(Prednisone), Shengxian Decoction with low, middle and high dose groups, and each group would receive gavage for one month;4).Then acetylcholine receptor antibody(AChR-Ab) titer, content of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-17 in the blood serum of rats in each group were tested with ELISA;5).The level of CD4+, CD8+lymphocyte in peripheral blood and CD4+/CD8+proportion in rats of each group were tested by flow cytometry(FCM).Results:1).Compared with the adjuvant control group, body weight of model rats in the other four groups went down notably, and the attenuation rate increased evidently(P<0.01/P<0.05) with each exceeding 10%, which proved rats model was successful. While after medication, the attenuation rate of rats in Shengxian Decoction with low, middle and high dose groups went down evidently(P<0.01), and there was an improvement of body weight as well as other symptoms;2).Compared with the adjuvant control group, levels of AChR-Ab, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-17 in the model groups all went up evidently(P<0.05), with TGF-β level going down(P<0.01/P<0.05); while compared with the model control group, the level of AChR-Ab, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-17 in the treatment groups all declined notably(P<0.05), with TGF-β level going up(P<0.01/P<0.05).3).Compared with the adjuvant control group, the CD4+/CD8+proportion among Shengxian Decoction with low and middle dose groups declined notably(P<0.01); CD4+, CD8+level and CD4+/CD8+proportion in the western medicine control group all went down evidently(P<0.01). Conclusion:Shengxian Decoction can slow RNS attenuation, improve body weight of rats with EAMG by increasing CD4+and TGF-β level, decreasing CD4+/CD8+proportion and the level of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-17, so as to inhibit the synthesis of AChR-Ab or promote its degradation, decrease AChR-Ab level in the blood serum and reach the function of treating rats with EAMG.