Abstract:Objective To observe the changes in Th17 / Treg cells in rats after carotid artery balloon injury and the intervention of total glucosides of paeony. Methods SD rats were equally and randomly divided into 4 groups: the control group, the balloon injury group, the total glucosides of paeony gavage group and the total glucosides of paeony immersion group. The control group received sham operation. The left common carotid artery was injured by balloon in the balloon injury group and the total glucosides of paeony gavage group. The artery was injured by balloon immersed total glucosides of paeony in the total glucosides of paeony immersion group. The total glucosides of paeony gavage group was administered total glucosides of paeony daily by gavage, which began 4 days before operation continued until harvesting. The control group, the balloon injury group and the total glucosides of paeony immersion group were administered normal saline daily by gavage. The rats were executed under anesthesia at 14 days after operation. The proportions of Th17 and Treg cells in the spleen of rats were detected by flow cytometry. The left common carotid artery was stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and neointimal were assayed. Results The lumen area in the balloon injury group was smaller than that in the control group, and the intimal area and intima / media area ratio were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The lumen area in the total glucosides of paeony gavage group was larger than that in the balloon injury group, and the intimal area and intimal area / media area ratio in the balloon injury group were lower than those in the balloon injury group, but higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The lumen area in the total glucosides of paeony immersion group was larger than that in the total glucosides of paeony gavage group, and the intimal area and intima-media area ratio were smaller than those in the total glucosides of paeony gavage group, but higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The percentage of Th17 cells in CD4+T cells and Th17/Treg in balloon injury group were higher than those in total glucosides of paeony gavage group, total glucosides of paeony immersion group and control group (P < 0.05), while those in total glucosides of paeony immersion group were lower than those in total glucosides of paeony gavage group, but higher than those in control group (P < 0.05). The percentage of Treg cells in CD4+T cells in total glucosides of paeony gavage group was higher than that in balloon injury group and control group, and the percentage of Treg cells in CD4+T cells in total glucosides of paeony immersion group was higher than that in total glucosides of paeony gavage group. Conclusions Total glucosides of paeony can regulate the balance of Th17 and Treg cells, may contribute to lighten the restenosis of injured vessels. Local application of balloon immersed total glucosides of paeony was better than gavage to inhibit the restenosis of inflammatory vessels.