Effects of ZuoGuiWan and YouGuiWan on lymphocyte subsets and NK cells in peripheral blood of EAE rats

Objective: To observe the effect of ZuoGuiWan and YouGuiWan on induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis(EAE) in Lewis rats,compare the therapeutic effect between ZuoGuiWan and YouGuiWan,and explore the underlying immunoregulatory mechanism between warming-yang and nourishing-yin therapy.Methods : 120 male Lewis rats were bred at Capital Medical University under specifi c pathogen-free conditions.24 rats were selected as normal group before immunization.The other rats were randomly devided into 4 groups after immunization,including EAE group,prednisone group,ZuoGuiWan group and YouGuiWan group.Rats of normal group were injected with normal sodium in the hind feet pad on both sides,the other rats were injected with the antigen consisted of myelin basic protein(MBP) and complete Freund’s adjuvant(CFA) to induce EAE.Rats of normal group and EAE group were administered with normal sodium after immunization,rats of prednisone group with prednisone(5mg/kg),rats of ZuoGuiWan group with ZuoGuiWan(2g/kg),rats of YouGuiWan group with YouGuiWan(3g/kg).On the day 15 and 27 after immunization,the peripheral blood was collected,lymphocyte subgroups and NK cells were detected by ? ow cytometer.Results: On day 15 after immunization: In peripheral blood,the number of CD4+lymphocyte in ZuoGuiWan group was signifi cantly higher(P0.05) than that in normal group.The ratio of CD4+/CD8+ in EAE group was signifi cantly higher(P0.05) than that in normal group.On day 27 after immunization: In peripheral blood,the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ in EAE group was signifi cantly higher(P0.05) than that in normal group.The raito of CD4+/CD8+ in ZuoGuiWan group was signifi cantly lower(P0.05) than that in EAE group.The number of NK cell in ZuoGui Pill group was signif icantly higher than normal group’s,EAE group’s and Prednisone group’s(P0.01 with normal group and EAE group,P0.05 with Prednisone group).The number of NK cell in YouGuiWan group was signifi cantly higher(P0.05) than EAE group’s.Conclusions : The level of CD4+/CD8+ of in peripheral increased in acute stage and remitting stage,which plays an important role in EAE.The therapy of nourishing kidney-yin can increase the level of CD4+cells in acute stage and decrease the level of CD4+/CD8+ in remitting stage to treat EAE.The therapy of nourishing kidney-yin and warming kidney-yang can decrease the level of NK cells inacute stage,and increase it in remitting stage to treat EAE.