Abstract: To explore the relationship between plant secondary compounds and the immune functions of small mammal herbivores, this study measured the effects of plant quercetin on immune organ development and concentrations of several key cytokines of Microtus fortis fed diets containing 0, 1.5%, 3%, 5%, or 8% quercetin. The results showed that the indices of the spleen and the thymus of M. fortis fed 5% quercetin were increased by 14.48% (P < 0.05) and 11.67% (P < 0.05), respectively, and IL-2 and IL-10 were increased by 8.9% (P < 0.05) and 14.99% (P < 0.05), respectively; TNF-α and IL-1β were decreased by 11.13% (P < 0.05) and 17.40% (P < 0.05), respectively, when compared those of the control. When quercetin concentration reached 8%, the indexes of the spleen and the thymus were decreased, IL-2, and IL-10 secretions were suppressed, while TNF-α and IL-1β levels were increased. Dietary plant quercetin affected the immune organ development and cytokine secretion of M. fortis in a dose-dependent manner.

Key words: Cytokines, Quercetin, Reed vole (Microtus fortis), Spleen index, Thymus index

摘要： 为探讨植物次生化合物对植食性小哺乳动物免疫功能的影响，本研究以含0、1.5%、3%、5% 和8% 槲皮素的食物饲喂东方田鼠，探究东方田鼠的免疫器官发育和细胞因子水平对不同浓度槲皮素的响应。结果显示：不同浓度植物槲皮素对东方田鼠的体重增长均无显著影响；与不含槲皮素（对照组）相比，5% 槲皮素处理的东方田鼠个体的脾脏和胸腺指数分别增加14.48% (P < 0.05)、11.67% (P < 0.05)，细胞因子IL-2、IL-10分别增加8.90% (P < 0.05)、14.99% (P < 0.05)，而TNF-α、IL-1β分别降低11.13% (P < 0.05)、17.40% (P < 0.05)；槲皮素浓度达到8% 时，与5%相比，脾脏指数、胸腺指数降低，IL-2、IL-10分泌减少，而TNF-α、IL-1β分泌升高。表明不同浓度植物槲皮素对东方田鼠免疫器官指数和细胞因子分泌的影响存在差异。

关键词: 槲皮素, 东方田鼠, 胸腺指数, 脾脏指数, 细胞因子