The Influence Of Shenling Baizhu Powder To Serum IL-4, IFN-γ And Inflammation Of Middle Ear Mucosa Of An Allergy Related SOM Rat Model

Objective: 1) To establish a rat model of SOM sensitized and challenged by OVA, observing histological characteristics and its dynamic changes. 2) To determine the variation of IL-4 and IFN-γ in serum of rat model. 3) To determine the influence of Shenling baizhu powder to serum IL-4, serum IFN-γ and inflammation of middle ear mucosa of rat model and to explore its therapeutic effect.Methods: Forty clean Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 8 groups-five in Normal group(N), five in Control group(C), five in Model group 1(M1),five in Model group 2(M2),five in Model group 3(M3), five in Treated Group 1(T1),five in Treated Group 2(T2), five in Treated Group 3(T3). M1, M2 and M3 were divided according to different observed day(3 days, 7 days and 10 days after challenged respectively). T1, T2 and T3 were divided according to different observed day(3 days, 7 days and 10 days after challenged respectively). Rats from the model group were sensitized to OVA via intraperitoneal injection once a week for two weeks then challenged transbullarly. T group rats were handled according to the model group management procedure and were treated once daily with 1.2g/kg of Shenlingbaizhu powder by intragastric administration starting after challenged. C group were nonallergic rats and transbullarly injected with PBS. The histomorphology of middle ear mucosa were observed with HE technique. The levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in each group.Results: Tympanal mucosa in normal group and control group ware composed of flat epithelia or ciliated columnar epithelia underneath located few fibrocytes. N group and C group ware not significantly different in levels of IL-4, levels of IFN-γ, infiltration of EOS and thickness of tympanal mucosa(P>0.05). Tympanal mucosa in M1 group rats thickened significantly and epithelium cilia disarranged in some region, and inflammatory cells infiltrated obviously. Such histologic findings were abated in M2 and M3 groups(P<0.05). The levels of IL-4 in M1 group rats were not higher significantly than that in M2 group ones(P>0.05). The levels of IL-4 in M2 group rats were higher significantly than that in M3 group ones(P<0.05). The levels of IL-4 in M group rats were all higher significantly than that in N group ones(P<0.05).The levels of IFN-γ in M1 group rats were lower significantly than that in M2 group ones(P<0.05). The levels of IFN-γ in M2 group rats were lower significantly than that in M3 group ones(P<0.05). The levels of IFN-γ in M group rats were all lower significantly than that in N group ones(P<0.05). As for T groups rats treated with Shenling baizhu powder, histological observations revealed that the degree of mucosal edema was alleviated and the intensity of cellular infiltration receded(P<0.05). They had lower levels of IL-4 and higher levels of IFN-γ comparedwith model groups(P<0.05).Conclusion: 1) The allergy related SOM rat model was copied successfully. 2) The middle ear of rat was capable of mounting an allergic inflammation when stimulated by allergen. A one-time stimulation of allergen brought about a self-limited pathological process. 3) The rat model had immune imbalance with higher levels of IL- 4, lower levels of IFN-γ and infiltration of eosinophils. 4) Shenling baizhu powder inhibited the secretions of IL-4 and enhanced the secretions of IFN-γ, meanwhile lessening the middle ear inflammation reaction.