Abstract: Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of β-glucan on immunoglobulin A(IgA) nephritis rat model and its effect on Th1/Th2 drift.Methods Forty-two rats were selected to establish IgA nephritis model,which were divided into model group,low dose group,medium dose group and high dose group,and 12 unmodeled rats were set as control group.The urinary erythrocyte count and 24 hour urinary protein content were compared.The histopathological changes of kidney were observed.IgA immunofluorescence precipitation in kidney tissues,Th1/Th2 in rat spleen,the levels of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in serum and kidney tissues of rats were detected.IFN-γ/IL-4 were calculated and compared.Results (1)Comparisons of urinary erythrocyte count and 24 hour urinary protein levels of rats in 5 groups showed that model group>low dose group>medium dose group>high dose group>control group (P<0.05).(2)In model group,glomerular enlargement,cystic wall adhesion,mesangial matrix proliferation and vacuole like changes of renal tubular epithelial cells were observed.The above structures were normal in control group and alleviated in each dose group with doseindependence.(3)There was no IgA immunofluorescence precipitation in the glomerular mesangial area of the control group,but there was strong IgA green fluorescence precipitation in the model group,which was weakened in each dose group with dose independence.(4)Comparison of Th1/Th2 in spleen tissue of rats in 5 groups showed that model groupP<0.05).(5)Comparison of the levels of IL-4 in serum and kidney tissues of rats in 5 groups showed that,model group>low dose group>medium dose group>high dose group>control group（P＜0.05）.Comparison of serum IFN-γ levels and IFN-γ/IL-4 showed that,model groupP＜0.05）.Conclusion β-glucan can significantly improve the condition of hematuria,urinary protein and IgA precipitation in rats with IgA nephritis,and alleviate renal injury,which may be related to regulating the shift of Th1/Th2 balance to Th1.

Key words: β-glucan；Immunoglobulin A nephritis, Helper T cell 1/2, Immunofluorescence, Cytokines