Regulation of non-classical immune parameters in immune thrombocytopenic purpura mice by a spleen-invigorating, qi-replenishing and blood-containing formula

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study investigated the regulatory effect of non-classical immune parameters on immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) mice by a spleen-invigorating, qi-replenishing and blood-containing formula (SQBF). MethodA total of 80 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four equal groups (20 mice each): control group, model group, prednisone group and spleen-invigorating, qi-replenishing and blood-containing (SQBF) group. Mice in the model group, prednisone group, and SQBF group were administered anti-platelet serum to induce ITP. The dynamic variations of platelet counts in ITP mice were measured with an automatic blood analyzer before modeling and 48 h, and 8, 12 and 15 days following APS injection. Levels of β-endorphin (β-EP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and salivary IgA (SIgA) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on 15th day of experiment. ResultsSQBF enhanced peripheral blood platelet counts in ITP mice similar to that of prednisone, and both groups showed a statistically significant response compared with the model group (P < .01). The SQBF significantly decreased β-EP levels compared with the model and prednisone intervention groups (P < .05), significantly increased the levels of VIP and SIgA in ITP mice compared with the model group (P < .05) and had significant protective effects on the thymus of ITP mice compared with the model group (P < .01). ConclusionsThe SQBF had a similar effect to prednisone with regards to enhancing peripheral blood platelet counts in ITP mice. Furthermore, it decreased β-EP levels and increased VIP and SIgA, and protected the thymus. This shows that, on base of the brain-gut axis functions, some non-classical immune vascular active factors or neurotransmitters are also involved in immune responses, and also have relationship with the onset of ITP and bleeding and/or hemostasis. It needs further study to determine whether a change in these active factors is related to immediate hemostasis.