Xihua Yang1, Lixia Chen2, Lili Zhao2, Yongming Yang2, Jing Wang2, Lei Yan2, Gang Tai3, Hong Zhang4. 1. Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030013, China; Laboratory Animal Center, Shanxi Cancer Institute, Taiyuan 030013, China. Electronic address: yangxihua@126.com. 2. Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030013, China; Laboratory Animal Center, Shanxi Cancer Institute, Taiyuan 030013, China. 3. Pharmacology Laboratory, Shanxi Institute for Food and Drug Control, Taiyuan 030001, China. 4. Pharmacology Laboratory, Shanxi Institute for Food and Drug Control, Taiyuan 030001, China. Electronic address: Zhhongyj@126.com.
Abstract
AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of Cordyceps sinensis-derived fungus Isaria felina on experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT). METHODS: A NaI-induced EAT mouse model was established. The mice received oral administration of vehicle, low-dose Isaria felina (300 mg/kg), or high-dose Isaria felina (600 mg/kg) once a day for four weeks before euthanasia. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) was performed to measure serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, thyroid antibodies, and cytokines. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was conducted to assess histopathological changes in the thyroid tissue samples of mice. TUNEL and Bcl-2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed to evaluate cell apoptosis, and cleaved caspase-3 IHC was performed to detect the relative expression in the thyroid tissue samples. RESULTS: Compared with KIO3 and KI water, NaI water consumption successfully induced EAT in mice, as evidenced by significantly increased circulating TSH and thyroid antibody levels, along with typical histopathological abnormalities of autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) in the thyroid tissue samples. Compared with vehicle or low-dose Isaria felina, high-dose Isaria felina treatment resulted in significant reductions in white cell counts and circulating TSH, thyroid antibody, and cytokine levels of EAT mice. High-dose Isaria felina also alleviated histopathological abnormalities and attenuated TUNEL staining, Bcl-2 protein expression, and cleaved caspase-3 expression in the thyroid tissue samples. CONCLUSION: High-dose Isaria felina treatment alleviates thyroid inflammation and cell apoptosis in EAT, serving as a novel, promising therapeutic agent for AIT.
AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of Cordyceps sinensis-derived fungus Isaria felina on experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT). METHODS: A NaI-induced EAT mouse model was established. The mice received oral administration of vehicle, low-dose Isaria felina (300 mg/kg), or high-dose Isaria felina (600 mg/kg) once a day for four weeks before euthanasia. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) was performed to measure serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, thyroid antibodies, and cytokines. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was conducted to assess histopathological changes in the thyroid tissue samples of mice. TUNEL and Bcl-2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed to evaluate cell apoptosis, and cleaved caspase-3 IHC was performed to detect the relative expression in the thyroid tissue samples. RESULTS: Compared with KIO3 and KI water, NaIwater consumption successfully induced EAT in mice, as evidenced by significantly increased circulating TSH and thyroid antibody levels, along with typical histopathological abnormalities of autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) in the thyroid tissue samples. Compared with vehicle or low-dose Isaria felina, high-dose Isaria felina treatment resulted in significant reductions in white cell counts and circulating TSH, thyroid antibody, and cytokine levels of EAT mice. High-dose Isaria felina also alleviated histopathological abnormalities and attenuated TUNEL staining, Bcl-2 protein expression, and cleaved caspase-3 expression in the thyroid tissue samples. CONCLUSION: High-dose Isaria felina treatment alleviates thyroid inflammation and cell apoptosis in EAT, serving as a novel, promising therapeutic agent for AIT.