Abstract:

Objective To determine the effect of bacille Calmette-Guerin-polysaccharide nucleic acid （BCG/PSN） on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene （DNCB）-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in Nc/Nga mice. Methods Fifteen mice were randomly and equally classified into 3 groups, i.e., control group receiving topical acetone on foot pad and abdomen and intraperitoneal injection of physiological saline, model group receiving topical 5% DNCB solution and intraperitoneal injection of physiological saline, treatment group receiving 5% DNCB solution and intraperitoneal injection of BCG/PSN, and all drugs were used every other day for 7 weeks. Further more, 0.1% DNCB was topically applied on the ear and neck of Nc/Nga mice once a week from week 2 to week 7. The effects of BCG/PSN were evaluated by ear thickness, skin histopathology and immunological parameters. Results Repeated application of DNCB caused the development of eczematous dermatitis in mice. Mice in model group clinically manifested skin dryness, erythema, edema and erosion with histopathological changes including dermal and epidermal thickening, hyperkeratosis, and inflammatory infiltration. The serum levels of IL-4 and IgE in model group were significantly higher than those in control group［（174.72 ± 12.64） μg/L vs （17.32 ± 3.56） μg/L, （91.49 ± 6.32） ng/L vs （83.95 ± 6.63） ng/L, both P ＜ 0.05］. Increased serum IL-12 and IFN-γ and decreased serum IgE were observed in treatment group compared with the model group［（122.10 ± 4.64） ng/L vs （20.14 ± 6.15） ng/L, （73.89 ± 2.39） ng/L vs （51.53 ± 3.45） ng/L, （84.27 ± 9.35） μg/L vs （174.72 ± 12.64） μg/L, all P ＜ 0.05］. Conclusion BCG/PSN might be beneficial for the treatment of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in Nc/Nga mice by enhancing the secretion of IL-12 and IFN-γ and suppressing the synthesis of IgE.

Key words: Nc/Nga mice, atopic dermatitis, model, BCG-PSN