To observe the therapeutic effect of Inonotus Obliquus Polysaccharide (IOP) on chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP) and its effect on the helper T cells (Th17) and regulatory T cells (Treg) immune imbalance. The results showed that treatment with IOP significantly reduced the levels of prostate index and serum PSA, and attenuated the pathological injury of the prostate tissue induced by CNP. With respect to samples induced by CNP alone, IOP treatment repressed the increased mRNA levels of IL-6, IL-17, IL-21, IL-23, ROR-γt and STAT3 in prostate tissue, while increasing the mRNA levels of IL-10, TGF-β and Foxp3 in prostate tissue. Meanwhile, IOP treatment attenuated the upregulation of the protein expression levels of ROR-γt and STAT3 in prostate tissue. Additionally, the protein expression of Foxp3 in prostate tissue was increased in the IOP-treated group. Flow cytometry analysis further demonstrated that IOP treatment regulated the balance between Th17 and Treg cells in the spleen in rat with CNP. Our study is the first to elucidate that IOP has significant therapeutic effects on CNP through regulation of Th17/Treg balance. Collectively, the study provides evidence for the potential of IOP to treat CNP.
Zhao, X.R. et al. / J. Chin. Pharm. Sci. 2025, 34 (2), 126–134.
>
>