Effect of Deoxycholic Acid on Immune Cells – An Immunophenotyping Analysis of Peripheral Blood and Splenic Lymphocytes in CD57 Female Mice

Background: Deoxycholic acid has been used in Chinese traditional medicine “Niuhuang” that is known to have Immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Preliminary evidences have shown that Deoxycholic acid modulates the immune system by way of stimulation and helps in maintaining a disease-free state within an individual. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Deoxycholic acid on immunophenotyping analysis of peripheral blood and splenic lymphocytes in CD57 female mice. Methods: Animals were treated with control, 100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of Deoxycholic acid for 14 days. The animals were euthanized on Day 15 and blood and intact spleens were collected. The homogenized spleens were collected aseptically and prepared single cell suspension of splenocytes. The whole blood and spleen cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: At 100 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, 2-fold increase in total lymphocytes (CD45) and significant increases in lymphocyte (T-cell) population and sub-populations of T-cell (Helper T-cell, Cytotoxic T-cell) were observed. Increased (up to 77%) proliferation of B-cells was observed at these doses. Similar trends, but at lesser magnitude as compared to 100 and 500 mg/kg, were observed at 1000 mg/kg, this was due to the toxicity observed at this dose. No treatment related changes in the populations of Lymphocytes of spleen. Conclusion: From the results of the present study, it was suggested that Deoxycholic acid treatment modulates the immune system by activating both cell mediated and humoral immune system.