The Effect Of Transection Of The Cervical Sympathetic Trunk On T-lymphocyte Subsets And IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α In Diabetic Rats

Objective:To investigate the effect of transection of the cervical sympathetic trunk(TCST) on T-lymphocyte subsets and IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α in diabetic rats and explore its possible mechanism to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical use of stellate ganglion block improve immune cell function in diabetic patients. Method:Seventy-two healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 3 months, weighing 240-280 g, were randomly divided into 3 groups(n=24 each): control group(group C), diabetes mellitus group(group DM) and diabetes mellitus + TCST group(group TCST). The model of diabetes in group DM and group TCST was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin 60mg/kg and confirmed by blood glucose ≥16.7mmol/L, while the equal volume citrate buffer was injected intraperitoneally in group C. In group TCST right transection of cervical sympathetic trunk(TCST) was performed after 1 week of the model of diabetes successfully induced, while the cervical sympathetic trunk of rats in group C and group DM was only exposed but not cut. Six rats were chosen randomly from each group before TCST(T0), on 1day(T1), 3 day(T2), 7 day(T3) after TCST, the blood glucose was recorded, blood samples were obtained for determination of plasma concentration of noradrenaline(NE), serum concentration of IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α and the percentages of T lymphocyte subsets(CD3+, CD4+, CD8+) and CD4+/CD8+ ratio were detected with flow cytometry, the six rats were sacrificed to obtain thymus and thymus index was calculated. Results:(1) Compared with group C, the blood glucose in groups DM and group TCST on T0~T3 was significantly increased(P <0.05). Compared with group DM, the blood glucose in group TCST on T1~T3 was significantly decreased(P <0.05).(2) Compared with group C, the plasma concentration of NE on T0~T3 was no significant changes in group DM(P >0.05), while the plasma concentration of NE on T1~T3 was obviously decreased in group TCST(P <0.05). Compared with group DM, the plasma concentration of NE on T1~T3 was obviously decreased in group TCST(P <0.05).(3) Compared with group C, the percentages of CD3+, CD4+, the CD4+/CD8+ ratio in group DM and group TSCT was significantly decreased(P <0.05), the percentages of CD8+ was no significant(P >0.05). Compared with group DM, the percentages of CD3+, CD4+, the CD4+/CD8+ ratio was increased on T1~T3 in group TCST(P <0.05), while the percentages of CD8+ was no significant(P >0.05).(4) Compared with group C, the serum concentration of IL-2 on T0~T3 was significantly decreased in group DM and group TSCT(P <0.05), while the serum concentration of IL-6, TNF-α was obviously increased(P <0.05). Compared with group DM, the serum concentration of IL-2 on T1~T3 was obviously increased and the serum concentration of IL-6, TNF-α was obviously decreased in group TCST(P <0.05).(5) Compared with group C, the thymus index was significantly decreased on T0~T3 in groups DM and group TCST(P <0.05). Compared with group DM, the thymus index was significantly increased on T1~T3 in group TCST(P <0.05). Conclusion:Transection of the cervical sympathetic trunk can decrease serum concentration of IL-6, TNF-α, and increase the percentages of CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, serum concentration of IL-2 and the thymus index which can improve the cell-mediated immune function in diabetic rats.