Xiaoyin recipe ( ) for psoriasis induces a Th1/Th2 balance drift toward Th2 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis rats.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the regulatory mechanism of Xiaoyin Recipe () on the T helper 1/T helper 2 (Th1/Th2) immune balance. METHODS: Thirty-six experimental animals were divided into three groups, 12 rats in each group: blank control group (B group), negative control group (N group), and Xiaoyin Recipe treatment group (T group). The latter two groups received immunization of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT), and T group were treated with Xiaoyin Recipe for a month. Then, the expression of Th1-Th2-related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were screened with Oligo GEArray Rat Th1-Th2-Th3 Microarray. The expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), T-box expressed in T-cells (T-bet), and GATA-binding protein-3 (GATA-3) were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Gene array screening showed that compared to N group, in T group after Xiaoyin Recipe treatment, 3 genes were upregulated in EAT rats, including interleukin-27 receptor alpha (IL-27rα), glomulin (Glmn), and GATA-3, while 38 genes were downregulated, such as CD28, IL-18, signal transducer, and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), T-bet, TNF receptor superfamily member 4 (TNFRSF4), TNF ligand superfamily member 5 (TNFSF5), and TNF receptor superfamily member 5 (TNFRSF5). While RT-PCR showed that there was an increased level of TNF-α mRNA (P<0.01), an elevated ratio of T-bet/GATA-3, and a decreased level of IL-10 mRNA in PBMC of N and T group compared to B group (P <0.01); and after treatment with Xiaoyin Recipe, IL-10 mRNA level increased (P <0.01), while TNF-α mRNA level and T-bet/GATA-3 ratio decreased in T group compared to N group (P <0.01). CONCLUSION: Xiaoyin Recipe for psoriasis could induce a Th1/Th2 balance drift toward Th2 in PBMC of EAT rats and thus improve the conditions.