Abstract
Objectives The occurrence and development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is related to lipid peroxidation, imbalance of inflammatory response factors, and immune function disorder. This study was conducted with the purpose of investigating the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and adipocytokines and Th17/Treg balance in NAFLD patients treated with Dahuang Zhechong pills (DHZCPs). Methods The study recruited 100 NAFLD patients who were then arranged into the test group and control group. Patients in the test group were treated with DHZCPs, while patients in the control group were untreated. Peripheral TH17 and Treg cells were detected by flow cytometry, and peripheral IL-17, IL-10, hs-CRP, and TNF-α expression levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. The concentrations of ghrelin, leptin, and adiponectin were quantitatively examined. Results The levels of TC, TG, ALT, and AST were declined but the level of HDL-C was increased in NAFLD patients treated with DHZCPs compared with untreated patients (P < 0.05). The ratio of Th17/Treg in NAFLD patients treated with DHZCPs was (1.52 ± 0.21), which was significantly lower than (2.39 ± 0.45) of untreated patients (P < 0.05). The levels of IL-17, hs-CRP, and TNF-α were lower, but the level of IL-10 was higher in NAFLD patients treated with DHZCPs than that in untreated patients (P < 0.05). The expression levels of ghrelin and adiponectin in NAFLD patients treated with DHZCPs were evidently higher than those in untreated patients (P < 0.01), and the expression level of leptin in NAFLD patients treated with DHZCPs was evidently lower than that in untreated patients (P < 0.01). Conclusions Administration of DHZCPs regulates the immune function of NAFLD patients by keeping Th17/Treg balance and affecting the levels of inflammatory cytokines and adipocytokines.
Highlights
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a type of liver disease that affects approximately one-quarter of the adult population worldwide, leading to a substantial burden of ill health with wide-ranging social and economic implications [1]
We performed flow cytometric analysis of peripheral TH17 and Treg cells in NAFLD patients treated with Dahuang Zhechong pills (DHZCPs) and untreated NAFLD patients. e proportion of 17 cells in the test group was (11.23 ± 1.39) %, which was notably lower than the (14.36 ± 2.28) % of the control group (P < 0.05). e proportion of Treg cells in the test group was (7.36 ± 1.01) %, which was remarkably higher than the (6.01 ± 0.89) % of the control group (P < 0.05). e ratio of 17/Treg cells in the test group was (1.52 ± 0.21), which was significantly lower than the (2.39 ± 0.45) of the control group (P < 0.05, Table 2)
Changes of IL-17, IL-10, hs-CRP, and TNF-α Expressions in NAFLD Patients after Treatment with DHZCPs. e serum levels of IL-17, IL-10, hs-CRP, and TNF-α were determined to evaluate the production of inflammatory cytokines in NAFLD patients after treatment with DHZCPs
Summary
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a type of liver disease that affects approximately one-quarter of the adult population worldwide, leading to a substantial burden of ill health with wide-ranging social and economic implications [1]. NAFLD represents a progressive disease that develops from steatosis with or without mild inflammation to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis characterized by necroinflammation and faster fibrosis progression [2]. NAFLD is characterized by fat accumulation, insulin resistance, and acquired metabolic stress liver injury. It is recognized as an important cause to evolve towards cirrhosis, even hepatocellular carcinoma [3]. E occurrence and development of NAFLD is a complex process with multiple factors. In addition to lipid peroxidation, obesity, and diabetes, Hispanic ethnicity and genetic polymorphisms of GCKR, TM6SF2, PNPLA3, MBOAT7, and HSD17B13 genes are identified as risk factors of NAFLD [4]. The pathogenesis of NAFLD involves several immune cell-mediated inflammatory processes as well as an imbalance of immune function [5, 6]. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) and CD4+ CD25+ foxp3+ phenotypes are involved in immunological self-tolerance and autoimmunity suppression, and the balance between 17 cells and Tregs has emerged as a prominent factor in regulating autoimmunity [8]
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