SJSZ glycoprotein (38 kDa) modulates expression of IL-2, IL-12, and IFN-γ in cyclophosphamide-induced Balb/c

Cyclophosphamide (CTX) often results in immunosuppression and cytotoxic effects. The object of this study was to understand whether Styrax japonica Siebold et al. Zuccarini (SJSZ) glycoprotein prevents immunosuppression in CTX-induced Balb/c.

The mice were injected intraperitoneally with CTX (80 mg/kg, BW) for 1 week in the presence or absence of the SJSZ glycoprotein, and divided into five groups. Weights of the spleen and thymus, phagocytic macrophages, proliferation of splenocytes and thymocytes ([(3)H]-thymidine incorporation and expression of PCNA), natural killer (NK) cytotoxicity [MTT assay, perforin, and granzyme B], and cytokines [interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, and interferon (IFN)-γ] were evaluated using radioactivity, biochemical reactions, immunoblot analysis, and qRT-PCR. Activity of antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione dismutase (GPx) and catalase (CAT)] was also assessed.

The results revealed that while the parameters assessed decreased with treatment with CTX alone, SJSZ glycoprotein (10 mg/kg, BW) in the presence of CTX significantly normalized the weights of spleen and thymus, the phagocytic effect of peritoneal macrophages, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, proliferation (splenocytes and thymocytes), NK cell cytotoxicity, and expression of IL-2, IL-12, and IFN-γ.

SJSZ glycoprotein can normalize activity of anti-oxidative enzymes and immune-related factors.