Effects Of Astragalus Membranaceus On Functional States Of Th1/Th2 In Cord Blood Mononuclear Cells Of Neonates

Objective To observe the functional states of TH1/TH2 in cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC)of neonates, and to study the effects of Astragalus Membranaceus (AM) on functional states of Thl/Th2 in CBMC of neonates.Methods 24 full-term neonates and 15 healthy children controls were assessed. After stimulation to CBMC of neonates and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of children with PHA and PHA +AM respectively,and cultured for 48 hours in vitro , the levels of IFN-7 and IL-4 in the supernatants of CBMC and PBMC were detected by ELISA respectively.Results (1) After stimulation with PHA the levels of IFN-7 and IL-4 produced by CBMC of neonates were statistically lower than those of the children's PHA controls (P <0. 01, respectively),and the ratio of IFN-7/IL-4 of neonatal CBMC was lower than that of the children's PHA controls (P<0. 05). The results showed that the Th2 function prevailed over the Thl function in a lower level in CBMC of neonates. (2) After stimulation with AM + PHA the levels of IFN-7 and IL-4 in CBMC of neonates were significantly higher than those of the PHA group of neonates (P<0. 01, respectively). The change of IFN-7 was significant, and the ratio of IFN-7/IL-4 of AM group of neonates increased than that of the PHA group of neonates (P<0. 05). (3) After stimulation with AM+ PHA the level of IFN-7in PBMC of children were markedly higher than that of the PHA group of children (P<0. 01), but there was no difference in IL-4 level between two groups(P>0. 05). (4) The levels of IFN-7 and IL-4 in CBMC of neonatal AM group were significantly higher than those of children's PHA group (P< 0. 01, respectively), and the ratio of IFN-7/IL-4 in CBMC of neonatal AM group increased more significantly than that of the PHA group of children (P<0. 05). The level of IL-4 of the AM group of CBMC was markedly higher than that of the AM group of children, but there was no difference in IFN-7 between two groups (P>0. 05),and the ratio of IFN-7/IL-4 in CBMC of neonatal AM groups was significantly lower than thatof the AM group of children (P<0.01).Conclusions The study shows that the levels of IFN-Y and IL-4 in CBMC of neonates are statistically lower than those of PBMC of children. There is dysfunction of Thl/Th2 in neonates. The Th2 function prevails over the Thl function slightly in neonates . AM can significantly increase the levels of IFN-Y and IL-4 in neonates and the level of IFN-Y in children, and further can improve the imbalance of Thl/Th2 function of neonates by inducing the production of Thl type cytokine (IFN-Y) markedly. The study proves that the AM can enhance the Thl function, reverse the enhanced Th2 function and improve the dysfunctional state in neonates . The study suggested AM can significantly improve the T-mediated specific immune activity in neonates. In conclusion, AM can be used to protect the infants from allergic diseases.