Th1/Th2 Immune Imbalance in the Spleen of Mice Induced by Hypobaric Hypoxia Stimulation and Therapeutic Intervention of Astragaloside IV

This study aims to establish a hypobaric hypoxia-induced immune injury model and investigate the intervention and therapeutic effects of Astragaloside IV (AS-IV). This study simulated hypobaric hypoxia stimulation in mice at an altitude of 7000 m on a plateau for 1, 3, 5, and 7 days. HE staining and transcriptomic analysis were performed on mouse spleens. In addition, AS-IV was selected for intervention in prevention and treatment, and validated by flow cytometry, ELISA, and Q-PCR. The results showed that under simulated hypoxic conditions at an altitude of 7000 m for 5 days, the peripheral blood lymphocytes of mice decreased, and the CD45(+) cells, CD3(+) T cells, and CD3(+)CD4(+) T cells, and CD4(+)/CD8(+) cell ratio in the spleen all decreased. AS-IV can significantly alleviate pathological damage to the spleen, decrease serum levels of IL-2 and IL-6, increase IL-4 and IL-10, and raise CD3(+)CD4(+) T cells and the CD4(+)/CD8(+) cell ratio in peripheral blood and the spleen, while increasing CD4(+)IFN-γ(+)cells in spleen, reducing ROS and apoptosis levels in spleen, and increasing the content of relevant mRNA in the Th1/Th2 cell pathway. In summary, simulating hypoxia at an altitude of 7000 m for 5 days can establish a stable hypobaric hypoxic immune injury model, and AS-IV can effectively alleviate hypobaric hypoxic immune injury.