ObjectiveTo explore cytokine profile changes in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) and the immunomodulatory effects of Qinggan Sanjie Xiaoying Formula (QGSXYF) using cytometric bead array (CBA) technology.MethodsA total of 28 patients with HT, who sought treatment at Sun Simiao Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from September 2022 to December 2023 and voluntarily received treatment with QGSXYF, were enrolled as the HT group. Meanwhile, 20 healthy volunteers were recruited as the healthy control group. Serum samples were collected from HT patients before and after four weeks of treatment with QGSXYF. Thyroid antibody titers (TPOAb, TGAb) and cytokine profile changes were compared among the three groups.ResultsIn the healthy control group, TPOAb and TGAb were within the normal range and were significantly lower than those in HT patients (P < 0.01). After treatment with QGSXYF, HT patients showed a significant reduction in TPOAb titers compared to pre-treatment levels (P < 0.01). Compared with the healthy control group, multiple cytokine levels in HT patients were significantly elevated (P < 0.05). Following treatment with QGSXYF, serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in HT patients decreased significantly (P < 0.01), while other pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-2, IL-5, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, TNF-α, and IFN-γ also showed reductions (P < 0.05). Additionally, the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 increased significantly after treatment with the herbal remedies (P < 0.05).ConclusionCytokine levels in HT patients were significantly higher than those in the healthy control group. QGSXYF effectively reduced TPOAb titers by significantly lowering pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6, IL-8, IL-22) and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10), thereby modulating Th1/Th2 balance and Th17/Treg cell function. These findings suggest that the immunoregulatory effects of this formula may be related to multi-targeted intervention in inflammatory pathways.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis;cytokines;cytometric bead array;Qinggan Sanjie Xiaoying Formula;immunity