吸入糖皮质激素对大鼠肺纤维化的干预作用及bFGF表达的影响

目的:研究吸入糖皮质激素对大鼠肺纤维化模型的干预作用及可能的机制。方法:雌性Wistar大鼠40只,体重180～250g,按照随机数字表法将大鼠随机分为4组(n=10):①对照组(C组);②模型组(M组);③布地奈德组(B组);④地塞米松组(D组)。M组、B组、D组给大鼠气管内吸入博莱霉素(5mg/kgbw,8mg)复制肺纤维化模型,C组气管内吸入同等剂量的生理盐水作对照,B组于次日给予雾化吸入等效剂量布地奈德,D组于次日腹腔内注射地塞米松。上述各组均于注药后第1、4周各宰杀5只。通过苏木素-伊红染色观察肺泡炎、Masson胶原染色观察肺纤维化、用免疫组化及酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)法检测bFGF蛋白在大鼠肺组织,血清及肺泡灌洗液(BALF)的表达。结果:1、4周时M组表现为肺泡炎及肺间质炎症,B组、D组肺泡炎及肺纤维化程度较M组减轻。1、4周时血清、肺组织、BALF中M组的bFGF表达高于C组(P0.01),B、D组低于M组(P0.01)。结论:吸入糖皮质激素可减轻博莱霉素诱导的肺纤维化,其抗纤维化作用的机制与抑制bFGF表达有关。     

罗格列酮联合地塞米松上调GR减缓博莱霉素诱导的大鼠肺纤维化

目的:探讨PPARγ配体罗格列酮联合糖皮质激素对博莱霉素诱导的大鼠肺纤维化的干预作用和对糖皮质激素受体(GR)表达的影响,为治疗肺纤维化提供新方向.方法:30只健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为对照组(C组)、模型组(M组)、罗格列酮干预组(R组)、地塞米松干预组(D组)、罗格列酮+地塞米松干预组(R+D组),每组动物6只.气管内注入博莱霉素(5mg/kg)的方法构建大鼠肺纤维化模型,C组气管内注入同等量生理盐水作为对照;各组于造模24小时后分别给各组大鼠生理盐水、地塞米松、罗格列酮、罗格列酮+地塞米松灌胃干预;第21天以心腔抽血法处死,左肺做病理切片行HE及Masson染色观察肺纤维化情况、免疫组化测GR表达情况,右肺用比色法测羟脯氨酸(Hyp)含量.结果:(1)造模后第21天M组和R组体重均小于C组(P＜0.01)但大于D组(P＜0.01).(2)M组肺组织Hyp含量较C组增高(P＜0.01);R组和D组肺组织Hyp含量较M组减低(P＜0.01),但高于R+D组(P＜0.05).(3)Masson染色示M组肺组织纤维化程度较C组增高(P＜0.01),R组和D组肺纤维化评分较M组减低(P＜0.01),但高于R+D组(P＜0.05).(4)M组GR表达较C组下降(P＜0.01);R组和D组GR表达较M组增强(P＜0.01),但低于R+D组(P＜0.01).结论:罗格列酮和小剂量地塞米松均可上调大鼠肺组织GR的表达减轻博莱霉素诱导的大鼠肺纤维化,罗格列酮对体重的影响明显小于地塞米松,二者联合使用有协同效应,提示罗格列酮和地塞米松联合有望成为治疗肺纤维化的新方法.     

罗格列酮联合地塞米松上调GR减缓博莱霉素诱导的大鼠肺纤维化

目的:探讨PPARγ配体罗格列酮联合糖皮质激素对博莱霉素诱导的大鼠肺纤维化的干预作用和对糖皮质激素受体(GR)表达的影响,为治疗肺纤维化提供新方向。方法:30只健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为对照组(C组)、模型组(M组)、罗格列酮干预组(R组)、地塞米松干预组(D组)、罗格列酮+地塞米松干预组(R+D组),每组动物6只。气管内注入博莱霉素(5 mg/kg)的方法构建大鼠肺纤维化模型,C组气管内注入同等量生理盐水作为对照;各组于造模24小时后分别给各组大鼠生理盐水、地塞米松、罗格列酮、罗格列酮+地塞米松灌胃干预;第21天以心腔抽血法处死,左肺做病理切片行HE及Masson染色观察肺纤维化情况、免疫组化测GR表达情况,右肺用比色法测羟脯氨酸(Hyp)含量。结果:(1)造模后第21天M组和R组体重均小于C组(P<0.01)但大于D组(P<0.01)。(2)M组肺组织Hyp含量较C组增高(P<0.01);R组和D组肺组织Hyp含量较M组减低(P<0.01),但高于R+D组(P<0.05)。(3)Masson染色示M组肺组织纤维化程度较C组增高(P<0.01),R组和D组肺纤维化评分较M组减低(P<0.01),但高于R+D组(P<0.05)。(4)M组GR表达较C组下降(P<0.01);R组和D组GR表达较M组增强(P<0.01),但低于R+D组(P<0.01)。结论:罗格列酮和小剂量地塞米松均可上调大鼠肺组织GR的表达减轻博莱霉素诱导的大鼠肺纤维化,罗格列酮对体重的影响明显小于地塞米松,二者联合使用有协同效应,提示罗格列酮和地塞米松联合有望成为治疗肺纤维化的新方法。     

EGCG对大鼠放射性肺损伤的防治作用及机制探索

目的:研究表没食子儿茶素-3-没食子酸酯(EGCG)对大鼠放射性肺损伤的防治作用及相关机制。方法:用60Co源γ射线单次照射SD大鼠全肺,构建放射性肺损伤模型,激素治疗组和EGCG治疗组大鼠分别给予地塞米松注射液和EGCG治疗;以肺系数、HE染色、Masson染色和肺组织羟脯氨酸(HYP)含量观察及评价EGCG对放射性肺炎及纤维化的改善情况;检测血清总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活力和丙二醛(MDA)含量;用Western印迹检测肺组织Nrf-2、HO-1、NQO-1的表达。结果:EGCG可明显减轻肺脏充血水肿,减低肺系数、肺组织HYP含量、肺泡炎及肺纤维化评分;EGCG可明显降低血清MDA水平,提高血清T-SOD活力,上调大鼠肺组织细胞Nrf-2、HO-1、NQO-1的表达水平。结论:EGCG能明显改善放射性肺损伤及纤维化病变,可能是通过Nrf2-ARE信号途径增加抗氧化酶表达,提高机体抗氧化能力而发挥治疗作用的。     

罗格列酮和强的松对博来霉素诱导大鼠肺纤维化中FIZZ1表达的影响

目的:观察Fizz1在肺组织中的动态表达及其意义,并比较罗格列酮与强的松对Fizz1表达的影响。方法:90只雄性SD大鼠随机分为对照组,模型组,强的松干预组,罗格列酮干预组,强的松+罗格列酮干预组,模型组和干预组大鼠气管内一次性注入博来霉素构建大鼠肺纤维化模型,对照组给予等量生理盐水。造模24小时后各干预组给予相应药物灌胃。各组动物于7、14、28d随机处死6只,测肺系数,取肺组织病理切片行HE和Masson染色,观察肺泡炎和纤维化程度,测肺组织羟脯氨酸含量,免疫组化法检测Fizz1在肺组织中的表达情况。结果:干预组各时期肺纤维化程度均较模型组轻。Fizz1表达呈动态性变化,第7天表达最高,14 d,28 d表达减弱。干预组各时期Fizz1表达水平较模型组降低,其中罗格列酮和强的松联合干预组早期对Fizz的下调水平更大。结论:Fizz1的表达上调可能参与博来霉素诱导的肺纤维化形成;罗格列酮、强的松均可下调Fizz1表达减轻博来霉素诱导的肺纤维化程度,减少肺组织胶原的沉积,提示Fizz1可成为肺纤维化治疗的新靶点,罗格列酮和强的松联用治疗较单用强的松效果更好,对Fizz1的下调水平更大。     

EGFR 对博莱霉素诱导小鼠肺纤维化中上皮- 间质转分化的影响

目的:探讨表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)在肺内的表达对博莱霉素(BLM)诱导小鼠肺纤维化中上皮-间质转分化的影响。方法:将40只4～6周龄C57BLB/c雄性小鼠随机分为正常对照组(气管滴入PBS),纤维化组(气管滴入BLM 3 mg/kg),EGFRRNAi组(气管滴入BLM 3 mg/kg+气管滴入siRNA 20μl)和RNAi阴性对照组(气管滴入BLM 3 mg/kg+气管滴入siRNA阴性对照20μl)。实验第10天处死小鼠,收获肺组织,检测羟脯氨酸含量;采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)法检测EGFR和α平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)mRNA的表达;肺组织切片行HE染色观察肺组织病理改变,免疫组化染色检测EGFR和α-SMA表达。结果:纤维化组EGFR和α-SMA两者的mRNA和蛋白表达均较正常对照组显著增加;RNAi组肺病理损伤较纤维化组减轻,气道上皮下胶原沉积及肺羟脯氨酸含量减少(P<0.05),肺组织EGFR和α-SMA两者的mRNA和蛋白表达均较纤维化组显著下降(P<0.05)。结论:在博来霉素诱导的肺纤维化中EGFR RNAi抑制EGFR活化,下调α-SMA的表达,减轻了博莱霉素诱导的肺纤维化病理改变。其抑制肺纤维化病理过程可能与其抑制上皮-间质转分化(EMT)有关。     

腺苷A2a受体在博莱霉素诱导的小鼠肺纤维化中的作用

目的：观察腺苷A_2a受体（A_2aR）在小鼠肺纤维化形成中的调控作用。方法：30只雄性SPF级野生型BALB/C小鼠和20只A_2aR基因敲除BALB/C小鼠,随机分为以下5组：野生型小鼠对照组（A组）、野生型小鼠纤维化组（B组）、A_2aR基因敲除小鼠对照组（C组）、A_2aR基因敲除小鼠纤维化组（D组）、野生型小鼠纤维化+A_2aR激动剂（CGS21680）组（E组）,每组各10只。纤维化组小鼠气管内注入博莱霉素（bleomycin,BLM）溶液50μl （5 mg/kg体重）,对照组在气管内注入等体积生理盐水,注射后立即将小鼠直立旋转3~5 min,使其均匀分布于两肺。A、B、C、D各组每天腹腔注射生理盐水0.5 ml,E组每天腹腔注射A_2aR激动剂（CGS21680）0.5 ml （0.25 mg/kg体重）,连续28 d。第29天取血检测血清转化生长因子β1（TGF-β1）含量;检测肺组织中羟脯氨酸（hydroxyproline,Hyp）、TGF-β1和A_2aR蛋白质含量,TGF-β1 mRNA、A_2aR mRNA的表达,并观察肺组织光镜和超微结构。结果：①光镜和超微结构提示,B组肺泡壁增厚破坏,肺泡腔狭窄或部分陷闭,纤维增生,炎细胞浸润,I型、Ⅱ型肺泡上皮细胞明显空泡化,D组较B组明显,E组表现较B组减轻。Masson染色提示B组、D组小鼠肺组织纤维增生明显,E组明显减少,提示基因缺失加重了小鼠肺纤维化的形成。②与A组比较,B组血清TGF-β1含量,肺组织Hyp含量,TGF-β1、A_2aR蛋白质含量和TGF-β1 mRNA、A_2aR mRNA的表达均明显增高（P<0.01,P<0.05）。与C组比较,D组血清TGF-β1含量、肺组织Hyp、TGF-β1含量和TGF-β1 mRNA表达明显增高（P<0.01,P<0.05）,提示肺纤维化小鼠肺组织Hyp含量增高,TGF-β1表达上调。③与B组相比,D组血清TGF-β1、肺组织Hyp、TGF-β1含量和TGF-β1 mRNA表达明显增高（P<0.01）。与B组比较,E组A_2aR蛋白质含量和A_2aR mRNA的表达均增高（P<0.01）,而血清TGF-β1、肺组织Hyp和TGF-β1蛋白含量及TGF-β1 mRNA表达较B组明显下降（P<0.01,P<0.05）,提示A_2aR基因敲除小鼠肺组织Hyp含量增高、TGF-β1表达上调;A_2aR激动剂可使A_2aR表达上调、TGF-β1表达下降。结论：A_2aR基因敲除小鼠的肺纤维化明显增加。A_2aR在肺纤维化形成中反应性增高,可通过降低TGF-β1的表达而抑制肺纤维化形成。     

罗格列酮和强的松对博来霉素诱导大鼠肺纤维化中FIZZ1表达的影响

目的：观察Fizzl在肺组织中的动态表达及其意义,并比较罗格列酮与强的松对Fizzl表达的影响。方法：90只雄性SD大鼠随机分为对照组,模型组,强的松干预组,罗格列酮干预组,强的松＋罗格列酮干预组,模型组和干预组大鼠气管内一次性注入博来霉素构建大鼠肺纤维化模型,对照组给予等量生理盐水。造模24小时后各干预组给予相应药物灌胃。各组动物于7、14、28d随机处死6只,测肺系数,取肺组织病理切片行HE和Masson染色,观察肺泡炎和纤维化程度,测肺组织羟脯氨酸含量,免疫组化法检测Fizzl在肺组织中的表达情况。结果：干预组各时期肺纤维化程度均较模型组轻。Fizzl表达呈动态性变化,第7天表达最高,14d,28d表达减弱。干预组各时期Fizzl表达水平较模型组降低,其中罗格列酮和强的松联合干预组早期对Fizz的下调水平更大。结论：Fizzl的表达上调可能参与博来霉素诱导的肺纤维化形成;罗格列酮、强的松均可下调Fizzl表达减轻博来霉素诱导的肺纤维化程度,减少肺组织胶原的沉积,提示Fizzl可成为肺纤维化治疗的新靶点,罗格列酮和强的松联用治疗较单用强的松效果更好,对Fizzl的下调水平更大。     

黄芪甲甙对实验性肺纤维化大鼠Cathepsin B表达的影响

目的:探讨黄芪甲甙时实验性肺纤维化大鼠肺组织中组织蛋白酶B(Cathepsin B,CB)表达的影响。方法:36只SD大鼠,随机分为对照组、模型组和干预组。模型组和干预组气管内注射博来霉素(BLM,5mg/kg)诱导肺纤维化,对照组在相同条件下给予生理盐水。第二天起干预组大鼠每天经胃管灌服0．1g/L黄芪甲甙2ml,其余两组相同条件下给予助溶剂羧甲基纤维素钠。治疗的第7d和28d,处死动物取出肺组织,进行病理学观察;测定28d肺组织中羟脯氨酸含量;用免疫组化和RT-PCR观察各组鼠肺组织CB蛋白及mRNA表达的水平。结果:病理学观察显示:与模型组比较,干预组肺泡炎和纤维化程度均减轻;模型组羟脯氨酸含量显著增高,而干预组与模型组比较羟脯氨酸含量明显降低;与模型组比较,干预组CB蛋白及mRNA表达显著降低。结论:黄芪甲甙可能通过押制CB的过度表达,对实验性大鼠肺纤维化具有良好的治疗作用。     

黄芩苷防止肺纤维化大鼠肺内结缔组织生长因子的上调

为探讨黄芩苷(baicalin,Bai)防止肺纤维化的机制,本研究观察了Bai对肺纤维化大鼠肺内结缔组织生长因子(connective tissue growth factor,CTGF)上调的影响。将雄性Sprague-Dawley(SD)大鼠随机分为4组:生理盐水(normal saline,NS)+NS组(气管内滴注NS,随后每天腹腔注射NS一次)、NS+Bai组(气管内滴注NS,随后每天腹腔注射Bai一次)、博莱霉素(bleomycin,BLM)+NS组(气管内滴注BLM,随后每天腹腔注射NS一次)和BLM+Bai组(气管内滴注BLM,随后每天腹腔注射Bai一次)。Bai的剂量分别为每天6、12.5或50mg/kg。各组于气管内一次性滴注BLM或NS后第28天处死动物,取肺组织样本。采用氯胺-T法检测肺组织羟脯氨酸含量(反映肺纤维化程度的指标),用RT-PCR和免疫组织化学方法检测肺CTGF的表达。结果显示,BLM+NS组大鼠肺羟脯氨酸含量、CTGF蛋白及mRNA水平均明显高于NS+NS组大鼠(均P0.01),提示BLM诱导了大鼠的肺纤维化,且纤维化肺内出现CTGF表达的上调。BLM+Bai组大鼠连续28d每天腹腔注射6、12.5或50mg/kgBai后,BLM所致的肺纤维化明显减轻,同时肺CTGF表达的上调也得到明显抑制。以上结果提示,Bai可防止肺纤维化大鼠肺内CTGF表达的上调,这可能是其防止肺纤维化形成的作用机制之一。     

罗格列酮对肺纤维化大鼠肺动脉壁结缔组织生长因子表达的影响

目的:观察过氧化物酶体增殖活化受体γ(PPAR-γ)激动剂罗格列酮(RSG)对肺纤维化大鼠肺动脉壁结缔组织生长因子(CTGF)上调、Ⅰ型和Ⅲ型胶原沉积的影响。方法:48只雄性SD大鼠,随机分为以下4组:博莱霉素(BLM)+生理盐水(NS)组(n=21)、BLM+RSG组(n=9)、NS+NS组(n=9)和NS+RSG组(n=9)。气管内一次性滴注BLM(5mg/kgbw),RSG灌胃(3mg/(kg.d),14d)。整体实验,气管滴注后第14天观察;离体实验,气管滴注BLM后第14天,分离大鼠的肺动脉,并用RSG培养液和单纯培养液孵育(37℃,5%CO2,24h)。结果:在整体水平,与对照大鼠相比,BLM模型大鼠肺动脉壁的CTGF免疫阳性表达增强,CTGF蛋白含量、Ⅰ型和Ⅲ型胶原含量、Ⅰ/Ⅲ胶原比值均增高(均P0.05);RSG能阻止上述指标的异常变化(均P0.05);在离体水平,RSG能阻止BLM模型大鼠肺动脉壁CTGF的上调(P0.05),但对Ⅰ型和Ⅲ型胶原沉积无明显影响(P0.05)。结论:RSG能直接作用于肺动脉壁,阻止肺纤维化大鼠肺动脉壁CTGF的上调,这可能是其减轻动脉壁结构重塑的机制之一。     

经鼻滴入博莱霉素致小鼠肺纤维化模型的建立及其病理演变

目的经鼻快速滴入博莱霉素复制小鼠肺纤维化模型,观察肺纤维化模型小鼠的病理形态学改变及其羟脯氨酸含量变化,鉴定肺纤维化模型的成功建立。方法经鼻滴入博莱霉素建立小鼠肺纤维化模型。分别于造模第14天和第28天后,取肺组织行HE染色和天狼猩红染色,取心、肝、脾、肾、脑组织行HE染色,光镜下观察组织病理学变化;造模第28天后用样本碱水解法检测肺组织中羟脯氨酸（HYP）的含量。结果①肺组织病理形态学改变：造模第14天和第28天后模型组小鼠肺泡炎及纤维化程度均明显高于阴性对照组,并且在造模第28天后肺纤维化程度进一步加重;②肺组织中HYP含量：与阴性对照组比较,模型组显著升高（P〈0.05）。结论经鼻滴入博莱霉素可以成功复制小鼠肺纤维化模型,肺纤维化模型小鼠HYP含量升高。     

肺纤维化初期肺动脉高压大鼠肺动脉反应性的变化

目的：观察肺纤维化初期肺动脉高压大鼠肺动脉血管反应性的变化。方法：66只雄性SD大鼠,随机分为博莱霉素（BLM）组和手术对照（Sham）组。BLM组为气管内一次性滴注BLM（5 mg/kg）;Sham组为气管内滴注等容量的生理盐水（NS）。应用离体血管张力检测技术测定大鼠肺动脉血管反应性变化;用HE显示肺动脉壁病理形态学变化;Masson染色检测肺纤维化程度;右心漂浮导管技术测定大鼠平均肺动脉压。结果：①BLM组大鼠的肺动脉血管（保留内皮和去内皮）对苯肾上腺素（PE）的收缩反应均弱于Sham组（P均〈0.05）。②BLM组大鼠肺动脉血管（保留内皮）对氯化乙酰胆碱（Ach）的舒张反应明显弱于Sham组（P〈0.01）。③Sham组有内皮的肺动脉血管对L-NAME和PE联合作用的收缩反应明显强于PE单独作用（P〈0.01）,而BLM组有内皮肺动脉血管对L-NAME和PE联合作用的收缩反应与对PE单独作用比,其差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。④BLM组肺动脉内皮细胞脱落。⑤BLM组大鼠肺组织呈现纤维增生初期的病理特征,且大鼠的平均肺动脉压明显高于Sham组（P〈0.05）。结论：肺纤维化形成初期肺动脉高压大鼠肺动脉血管反应性出现异常。     

气管内反复滴入脂多糖法建立大鼠慢性阻塞性肺疾病模型

目的评价脂多糖(LPS)诱发大鼠慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)模型的可行性。方法气管内滴入脂多糖或生理盐水,每周1次,共8周。测定大鼠的气道阻力(RL)和肺动态顺应性(Cdyn),计数大鼠支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中白细胞总数及分类,肺组织病理切片行HE和AB-PAS染色,并测定肺组织粘蛋白(MUC5AC)的含量。结果模型组大鼠RL明显升高(87.5%),Cdyn显著下降(16.4%);BALF中白细胞总数及分类中的中性粒细胞、淋巴细胞和单核巨噬细胞数均明显高于对照组;光镜下可见病变呈慢性支气管炎及肺气肿样改变。结论反复气管内滴入LPS可用于制备大鼠COPD模型,其肺功能、BALF细胞学及病理学改变符合人类COPD表现,可以用于实验研究。     

Serum SP-D is a marker of lung injury in rats

Pulmonary surfactant protein D (SP-D) is expressed in alveolar type II and bronchiolar epithelial cells and is secreted into alveoli and conducting airways. However, SP-D has also been measured in serum and is increased in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary fibrosis, and alveolar proteinosis. To demonstrate that SP-D can be measured in rat serum, we instilled rats with keratinocyte growth factor, which produces type II cell hyperplasia and an increase in SP-D in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). To evaluate serum SP-D as a biomarker of lung injury, we examined several injury models. In rats treated with 1 unit of bleomycin, serum SP-D was elevated on days 3, 7, 14, and 28 after instillation, and SP-D mRNA was increased in focal areas as detected by in situ hybridization. However, there was no increase in whole lung SP-D mRNA when the expression was normalized to whole lung 18S rRNA. After instillation of 2 units of bleomycin, the serum levels of SP-D were higher, and SP-D was also increased in BALF and lung homogenates. In another model of subacute injury, serum SP-D was increased in rats treated with paraquat plus oxygen. Finally to evaluate acute lung injury, we instilled rats with HCl; SP-D was increased at 4 h after instillation. Our data indicate that serum SP-D may be a useful indicator of lung injury and type II cell hyperplasia in rats.     

Investigation of the effects of α-tocopherol on the levels of Fe,Cu, Zn,Mn, and carbonic anhydrase in rats with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis

This study was designed to examine the effects of vitamin E on the levels of Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, and carbonic anhydrase in rats with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Twenty-one male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups: bleomycin alone, bleomycin+vitamin E, and saline alone (control group). The bleomycin group was given 7.5 mg/kg body weight (single dose) bleomycin hydrochloride intratracheally. The bleomycin+vitamin E group was also instilled with bleomycin hydrochloride but received injections of α-tocopherol twice a week. The control group was treated with saline alone. Animals were sacrified 14 d after intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. Tissue Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, and carbonic anhydrase activities were measured in the lung and liver. Lung Cu, Fe, and carbonic anhydrase activity increase in both experimental groups. Zn and Mn levels decreased, except for the Mn level in the bleomycin group. Liver Zn, Mn, and Cu levels decreased in both experimental groups compared to the control group, whereas Fe and carbonic anhydrase activity increased in comparison to the control group. However, the liver tissue Fe level decreased compared to the control group. In the histopathologic assesment of lung sections in the bleomycin+vitamin E group, partial fibrotic lesions were observed, but the histopathologic changes were much less severe compared to the bleomycin-treated group.     

Baicalin prevents the up-regulation of connective tissue growth factor in fibrotic lungs of rats

To clarify the mechanism underlying the preventive effect of baicalin (Bai) on fibrosis in lung, we investigated the influence of Bai on the up-regulation of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in fibrotic lungs. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into four groups randomly: normal saline (NS)+NS group (a single intratracheal instillation of NS plus i.p. injection of NS), NS+Bai group (intratracheal instillation of NS plus i.p. injection of Bai), bleomycin (BLM)+NS group (intratracheal instillation of BLM plus i.p. injection of NS) and BLM+Bai group (intratracheal instillation of BLM plus i.p. injection of Bai). All the i.p. injections were performed once daily. On day 28 after intratracheal instillation of BLM or NS, the rats were sacrificed for lung tissue sampling. As the index of the severity of pulmonary fibrosis, the content of hydroxyproline in lungs was analyzed by chloramine T method. The expression levels of CTGF mRNA and protein in the lungs were detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The results showed that, compared to the rats in NS+NS group, the rats in BLM+NS group showed increased hydroxyproline content and higher levels of CTGF mRNA and protein expressions (P<0.01), suggesting that BLM had induced fibrosis in lung and up-regulated CTGF expression in the fibrotic lungs. Administration of different dosages of Bai (6, 12.5 and 50 mg/kg per d, for 28 days) into the BLM-treated rats reduced the increased content of hydroxyproline, and ameliorated the up-regulation of CTGF mRNA and protein levels, respectively. These results suggest that Bai could prevent the up-regulation of CTGF expression in fibrotic lungs of rats receiving BLM instillation, which might be one of the mechanisms underlying the preventive effect of Bai on pulmonary fibrosis.     

Cysteinyl-leukotriene 1 receptor antagonist attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice

Leukotrienes are lipid mediators of inflammation derived from the 5-lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism, and recent evidence suggests that they play an important role in pulmonary fibrosis. Montelukast is a cysteinyl-leukotriene 1 receptor antagonist that has been found to reduce airway remodeling, including subepithelial fibrosis, in a murine model of asthma, but the therapeutic effect of montelukast on pulmonary fibrosis remains unclear. In this study, we investigated whether montelukast is capable of preventing bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. On day 1, C57BL/6 mice were given a single intratracheal injection of bleomycin (2.5 mg/kg), and montelukast (1.0 mg/kg) or vehicle alone subcutaneously 2 h later and on days 1-5 of each week for two weeks. The total number of cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was reduced in the montelukast group on day 7 and on day 14, and cellular inflammation and fibrosis were attenuated on day 14 as indicated by significant decrease in the Ashcroft score and lung hydroxyproline content. Although cysteinyl-leukotriene level in BALF was not significantly different, transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) level in BALF by ELISA and TGFbeta expression in lung tissue by immunohistochemistry was reduced on day 14 in the montelukast group. The results of this study show that montelukast inhibits the inflammatory process and development of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice and that these effects may be associated with a decrease in TGFbeta expression. They also suggest that montelukast may serve as a new therapy for patients with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.