Yiqi Jiedu Xiaoying Decoction Improves Experimental Autoimmune Thyroiditis in Rats by Regulating Th17/Treg Cell Balance

Title:Yiqi Jiedu Xiaoying Decoction Improves Experimental Autoimmune Thyroiditis in Rats by Regulating Th17/Treg Cell Balance

Volume: 24 Issue: 10

Author(s): Hui Zhu, Shumin Mu*, Shiyin Liu, Yang Cui, Jianyu Ren, Enquan Yang, Lining Wang, Xiaoke Cui and Ailing Ren

Affiliation:

• Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250011, China

Abstract:

Background: Experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) is a widely used animal model to study the pathogenesis and treatment of autoimmune thyroid diseases. Yiqi Jiedu Xiaoying Decoction (YJXD) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula with potential immunomodulatory effects. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of YJXD on EAT in rats and explored its underlying mechanisms.

Methods: Female Wistar rats were induced to develop EAT by immunization with thyroglobulin (Tg) and taken sodium iodide water (0.05%) and then treated with YJXD or sodium selenite. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of thyroid tissue in EAT rats. Th17 and Treg cell frequencies were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the expression levels of Th17- and Treg-related cytokines and thyroid autoantibody were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of Th17- and Treg-related transcriptional factors was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Results: Our results demonstrated that treatment with YJXD significantly attenuated the severity of EAT, as evidenced by reduced thyroid gland inflammatory infiltration and decreased serum thyroglobulin autoantibody levels. Importantly, YJXD treatment effectively modulated the Th17/Treg cell balance by suppressing Th17 cell differentiation and promoting Treg cell expansion. Moreover, YJXD was also found to regulate the expression levels of Th17- and Treg-related cytokines and transcriptional factors, further supporting its immunomodulatory effects in EAT.

Conclusion: YJXD exerted therapeutic effects on EAT by regulating the Th17/Treg cell balance, modulating the production of Th17- and Treg-related cytokines and the expression of transcriptional factors.

Cite this article as:

Zhu Hui, Mu Shumin*, Liu Shiyin, Cui Yang, Ren Jianyu, Yang Enquan, Wang Lining, Cui Xiaoke and Ren Ailing, Yiqi Jiedu Xiaoying Decoction Improves Experimental Autoimmune Thyroiditis in Rats by Regulating Th17/Treg Cell Balance, Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets 2024; 24 (10) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0118715303256311231122094516