Effects of Yiqi Jianpi Shengjin recipe on Tfr/Tfh cells balance and autophagy in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome and qi-yin deficiency syndrome
SHU Kaiyan
CAO Yunxiang
FU Wanlan
ZHU Nanfei
Abstract：This study performed to observe the effect of Yiqi Jianpi Shengjin recipe on Tfr/Tfh cell balance and autophagy expression in primary Sjögren's syndrome(pSS)patients,and to explore the intervention mechanism of Yiqi Jianpi Shengjin recipe in treating pSS.We collected 60 cases of pSS with deficiency of both qi and yin from the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of Anhui Provincial Hospital of TCM and randomly grouped them into experimental group and control group,with each group consisting of 30 cases.The control group was given a dose of hydroxychloroquine sulphate 0.2 g bid,the experimental group received an additional oral dose of Yiqi Jianpi Shengjin formula on top of the control group's treatment,and both continued to take it for 12 weeks.IL-10,IL-21 and IL-6 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,Tfh and Tfr cells ratios were measured by Flow cytometry,Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of Atg5,Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ,and qPCR was used to detect the RNA expression of Atg5,Beclin1 and LC3.The indexes of inflammation,dryness,ESSPRI,ESSDAI and TCM syndrome integral before and after treatment were statistically analyzed.Data showed that the scores of corneal fluorescence stainin g in the experimental group were significantly lower and the static saliva flow rate was significantly higher compared with the control group.The experimental group showed a marked reduction in TCM,ESSPRI and ESSDAI score after treatment compared to control group.The expression of IL-21,IL-10 and IgG in the experimental group was markedly lower compa red with the control group.Tfr cells were significantly lower in the experimental group as compared to the control group.T he expression and ratio of autophagy protein and mRNA in the experimental group were significantly lower compared with t he control group.In conclusion,Yiqi Jianpi Shengjin recipe can effectively reestablish the balance of Tfr/Tfh cells,regulate cytokines,inhibit autophagy and activity,relieve clinical symptoms,delay disease activity,and improve the secretion of lacrimal gland and salivary gland.
Keywords：Primary Sjögren's syndromeTfr/TfhAutophagyTCM
Publication Date：2024-03-01
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：9( 286-294 )