Objective: To observe the effect of Guizhi Decoction (GZD) on immunological indexes in intestinal mucosal immune system of mice with Bi syndrome (collagen induced immune arthritis).
Methods: Eighty male DBA mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, the normal group, the model group and the high and low dosage GZD groups. Model of Bi syndrome was induced by collagen type II. CD4+, CD8+ T-lymphocytes and SIgA in mice' small intestine and PP node were labeled by immunohistochemical staining and their number was calculated using imaging analyzer.
Results: Compared with the normal group, in the model group, after immunization with collagen type II, numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes and SIgA in mice' intestinal mucosal immune system reduced significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). After treatment with GZD of both high and low dosage, CD4+ T-lymphocytes and SIgA increased significantly, but significant difference only showed in comparison between the high dosage GZD group and the model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).
Conclusion: GZD could enhance the immune function in intestinal mucosa in mice with Bi syndrome, thus it might induce immune tolerance and immune inhibition.