Abstract:

【Objective】 The objective of the experiment is to research on the effects of soy isoflavone on expression of IL-2 mRNA in the spleen of ovariectomized (OVX) rat. 【Method】 Sixty young female rats were ovariectomized, and then these rats were supplied with soy isoflavone respectively in high dosage (1.5 mg•kg-1), medium dosage (1.0 mg•kg-1), low dosage (0.5 mg•kg-1) and solvent agent via hypodermic injection. At the second, fourth and sixth week after treatment, 5 rats per group were killed for study. The expression and distribution of IL-2 mRNA in the spleen were studyed by in situ histo-hybridization method. 【Result】 The IL-2 mRNA mainly distributed in red pulp close to the capsule, some in periphery of splenic corpuscle, marginal zone and outer layer of periarterial lymphatic sheath. The general tendency of the intensity and the number of IL-2 mRNA positive cells of OVX rats are significantly decreased, and the degression was more significantly with the time going after ovariectomizing treatment. While after treatment with soy isoflavone, the general tendency of the intensity and the number of IL-2 mRNA positive cells of OVX rats were increased and showed a time-dependent manner. In the same period of time, with the increasing concentration of soy isoflavone, the general tendency of the intensity and the number of IL-2 mRNA positive cells were increased and showed a dose-dependent manner. 【Conclusion】 The above results suggested that soy isoflavone could upregulate the expression of IL-2 mRNA and showed a time- and dose-dependent manner.

Key words: soy isoflavone, in situ histo-hybridization method, IL-2 mRNA, spleen, ovariectomized, rat