Objective: To explore the effects of oxymatrine on serum levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines in HBsAg transgenic mice.
Methods: HBsAg transgenic mice were divided into oxymatrine group and control group. Each mouse was injected with either oxymatrine 200 mg/kg 0.2 ml or 0.9% NaCl 0.2 ml intraperitoneally once a day for 30 days. Serum IFN-gamma, IL-2 and IL-4, IL-10 were quantitated before and after different treatment.
Results: There was no significant difference on the levels of IFN-gamma and IL-4 before and after treatment in control group. While in oxymatrine group, the levels of IFN-gamma before and after treatment were (3.108+/-3.172) pg/ml and (11.059+/-6.971) pg/ml; those of IL-4 were (29.045+/-13.235) pg/ml and (13.024+/-9.002) pg/ml (both P less than 0.001). After treatment, the levels of IL-2 in control and oxymatrine group were (1.070+/-0.447) pg/ml and (5.537+/-2.887) pg/ml (P less than 0.000 1); and those of IL-10 were (97.226+/-73.306) pg/ml and (33.607+/-23.154) pg/ml (P less than 0.01).
Conclusion: After injection of oxymatrine to HBsAg transgenic mice, the serum concentration of Th1 cytokines increased while the Th2 cytokines decreased. This can help us understand more better on the mechanisms of anti-HBV effect of oxymatrine.