[Abnormality of T lymphocyte subsets in aged persons with kidney deficiency syndrome and its influence on immunologic regulation].

T lymphocyte subsets were investigated in 57 aged persons with Kidney Deficiency Syndrome as well as in 30 normal controls with application of the monoclonal antibody (OKT3, OKT4, OKT8). The results showed that the percentage of OKT3, OKT4 in the aged persons was significantly lower than that of control (P < 0.01), while OKT8 was significantly higher (P < 0.01). The OKT4/OKT8 ratio was significantly lower than that of control (P < 0.01). However, the above-mentioned changes were more evident in the Kidney Yang Deficiency Syndrome than those in Kidney Yin Deficiency Syndrome (P < 0.01). The further analysis indicated that the aged persons with Kidney Yang Deficiency appeared as marked positive correlation (r = 0.64, P < 0.001) between the OKT4/OKT8 ratio and IgA, and they also appeared as marked negative correlation (r = -0.89, P < 0.001 and r = -0.665, P < 0.001 respectively) between the OKT4/OKT8 ratio and C3 or CIC. The results suggested that the imbalance of the cell mediated immunity expressed by the T lymphocyte subsets in aged persons with Kidney Deficiency might be one of the essences of senility.