Aim: To explore effects of huoxiangzhengqi liquid (HXZQ) on enteric mucosal immune responses in mice with Bacillus dysenteriae and Salmonella typhimurium induced diarrhea (BSD).
Methods: BSD was induced in Balb/c mice by oral administration with Bacillus dysenteriae and Salmonella typhimurium. HXZQ was administrated from the day of diarrhea induction at dosages of 5.21 g/kg and 0.52 g/kg, respectively. The onset of diarrhea and lasting time were recorded. Peyer's patches and peripheral lymphocytes were prepared for flow cytometry, and levels of TNF-alpha in peripheral blood and enteric tissue homogenates were determined with ELISA. Student's t test was employed for statistics.
Results: Mice in BSD group started showing continuous diarrhea on the day of induction until the fourth day when they were sacrificed. Diarrhea in the mice of HXZQ high and low dose groups lasted for 36 and 54 h, respectively. There were more CD4+ and CD8+ cells in peripheral blood, fewer CD4+ cells in Peyer's patches in BSD mice compared to normal mice. Fewer CD4+ and CD8+ cells was shown in the mice in HXZQ high group compared to BSD mice. In Peyer's patch, there were more CD8+ cells in mice in HXZQ high and low dose groups and more CD4+ in mice in HXZQ high group. Higher levels of TNF-alpha in peripheral blood and intestinal tissue homogenates in BSD group were observed. Mice in HXZQ high group showed decreased levels of TNF-alpha in peripheral blood and enteric tissue homogenates.
Conclusion: The immune regulation of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in Peyer's patch and suppression of TNF-alpha levels in enteric homogenates may partially explain the effect of HXZQ on improvement of BSD.