Effect of Yupingfeng granule on Th17/Treg balance in children with milk protein allergy

Abstract

Objective To observe Th17 cells, Treg cells and their related factors in peripheral blood of children with milk protein allergy and explore the influence of Yupingfeng granule on Th17 / Treg imbalance and its clinical effect. Methods 40 children with milk protein allergy were divided into two groups randomly: the conventional treatment group (n=20), Yupingfeng granule group (n=20). The conventional treatment group received conventional treatment for 2 months. On the basis of routine treatment, Yupingfeng granule group was additionally treated with Yuping feng granule. The serum Th17, Treg cell counts, interleukin (IL)-17 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) levels were detected, and the eczema area and severity index (EASI) score of rash in children was recorded. Results The levels of Th17 cells and IL-17 in allergy children were obviously increased compared with those of the normal children, while the Treg cells, and the TGF-β1 level were lower than those of the normal children (P<0.05). After treatment, the Th17 cells, the IL-17 levels and ESAI scores of the conventional treatment group and the Yupingfeng granule group were lowered, while the Treg cells and the TGF-β1 levels were increased (P<0.05). Compared with the conventional treatment group, these indexes increased and decreased more significantly in the Yupingfeng granule group (P<0.05). Conclusions Milk allergy children have obvious imbalance of Th17/Treg; the Yupingfeng granule can adjust this imbalance and alleviate the allergic symptoms of milk protein. Key words: Milk proteins/AE; Milk hypersensitivity/DT; YUPINGFENG POWDERS/TU; Th17 cells/IM; T-lymphocytes, regulatory/IM; Child