Effect of Kechuanning on airway remodeling and protein level of p-ERK1/2 in lung tissues of asthmatic rats induced by virus

AIM:To investigate the effect of Kechuanning on airway remodeling and the protein level of p-ERK1/2 in lung tissues of asthmatic rats induced by virus. METHODS:The asthmatic rat model induced by respiratory syncytial virus was established. The experimental rats were divided into normal group, asthma model group, low dose (0.33 mL/kg), middle dose (3.0 mL/kg) and high dose (10 mL/kg) of Kechuanning groups, and PD98059 (3 mg/kg) group. The airway responsiveness of the rats was measured by animal ventilator. The pathological changes of the lung tissues were observed by HE staining. PAS staining and Masson staining were used to observe goblet epithelial cells metaplasia and airway collagen deposition. The expression of matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in the lung tissues of the rats was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The protein levels of ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 were determined by Western blot. RESULTS:Compared with model group, the airway responsiveness of the rats in middle dose and high dose of Kechuanning groups was significantly decreased (P<0.01), the injury of lung tissues was significantly decreased, the goblet epithelial cells metaplasia and airway collagen deposition were significantly reduced (P<0.01), and the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the lung tissues was also significantly decreased (P<0.01). In addition, the protein level of p-ERK1/2 in high dose of Kechuanning group was significantly decreased compared with model group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION:Kechuanning may treat asthma by regulating the expression of p-ERK1/2 in the lung tissues and improving the airway remodeling symptoms of asthmatic rats induced by virus.     

Mast cell tryptase and asthma

As an important mediator of allergic inflammation, mast cell tryptase is involved in the in duction of hypersensitivity, infiltration of inflammatory cel s and t issue remodeling in respiratory tract.The effects of tryptase inhibitors on the actions of tryptase show further the potential of tryptase in the pathogenesis of asthma and its inhibitors in the treatment of asthma.     

Role of calcineurin in airway remodeling in guinea pig model of asthma

AIM:To investigate the role of calcineurin (CaN) in airway remodeling in guinea pig model of asthma.METHODS:Male guinea pigs were randomly divided into three groups: control, asthma group and CsA group. The following parameters were measured: 1. The protein content, cell count and differential count of BALF; 2. The amount of [³H]-TdR incorporation into central airway smooth muscle; 3. The mean thickness of airway wall and airway smooth muscle of small airwaysl; 4.CaN activity of trachea and lung tissue.RESULTS:1. The protein content, cell count and eosinophil of BALF in CsA group were 46%, 51% and 60% lower than those in asthma group, respectively (P＜0.01); 2. [³H]-TdR incorporation in CsA group was 22% lower than that in asthma group (P＜0.05);3. The mean thickness of airway wall and airway smooth muscle were 34% and 37% less in CsA group than those in asthma group, respectively (P＜0.01); 4. CaN activity of lung tissue and trachea were 52% and 44% lower in CsA group than those in asthma group, respectively (P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:CsA reduced airway remodeling in guinea pig model of asthma, indicating the role of CaN in the airway remodeling.     

Upregulation of neurokinin A levels by nerve growth factor in the experimental asthmatic guinea pig

AIM: To explore the regulatory mechanism of nerve growth factor (NGF) on neurokinin A in the experimental asthmatic guinea pig. METHODS: Radioimmunoassay was used to determine the alteration of neurokinin A levels in the lower respiratory tract and visceral sensory afferent sites while NGF was absent (inhalation of NGF antibody through nasal cavity) in the asthmatic guinea pig. RESULTS: The contents of neurokinin A in the trachea, bronchus, lung, C₇-T₅ spinal ganglia and the correspondent spinal dorsal horn, nodose ganglia and solitary nucleus area in the experimental asthmatic guinea pig with the absent of NGF in the respiratory tract were much lower than those in the asthmatic and control groups (P＜0.01). CONCLUSION: NGF upregulated the contents of neurokinin A in the lower respiratory tract and visceral sensory sites of the experimental asthmatic guinea pig, and both might be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma.     

牛流行热病的诊疗

本文通过某公牛站4次流行热病的发病情况、临床症状、预防治疗及笔者的体会,对牛流行热病的预防和治疗提供参考。     

Histamine receptor antagonist prevent and ameliorate airway remodeling and acid-base imbalance in asthma of guinea pig

AIM:To investigate the effect of histamine receptor antagonist on airway remodeling and acid-base imbalance in asthma of guinea pig. METHODS:Guinea pigs were divided into 5 groups: the normal control group, the asthma model group, the continued asthma model group, histamine group and histamine receptor antagonist group. For each group, the content of histamine, Na+, Cl-, PaO2, PaCO2, pH, AB, SB in serum, and thickness of airway mucosa and smooth muscle cell layer were measured and compared with each other. RESULTS:(1) According to the content of histamine in serum and thickness of airway mucosa and smooth muscle, the order was: the histamine group>continued asthma model group>the asthma model group>the normal control group (P<0.01), and the histamine receptor antagonist groupthe continued asthma model group (P<0.01), but for PaCO2, the order was conversed. Airway remodeling, increase in histamine in serum, respiratory acidosis and metabolic acidosis in asthmatic guinea pig were observed. Exogenous histamine accentuated the change, however, histamine receptor antagonist attenuated it. CONCLUSION:Histamine may take part in the airway remodeling of asthma. Histamine receptor antagonist can prevent and ameliorate airway remodeling and acid-base imbalance in asthma of guinea pig.     

Changes in endothelin-1 and atrial natriuretic factor and the effect of atrial natriuretic factor on the change of endothelin-1 in asthmatic guinea pigs

AIM: To investigate the possible role of endothelin(ET-1) in asthma pathogenesis and the effect of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on changes of ET-1. METHODS: Measuring the contents of endothelin-1(ET-1),atrial natriuretic factor(ANF),cGMP in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of guinea pigs. RESULTS: The contents of ET-1, ANF and cGMP in asthma group were higher than that of the control group; There was a significant negative correlation between ET-1 and ANF( r=-0.638,P <0.05) in plasma of the asthma group, and a significantly negative correlation between ET-1 and ANF( r=-0.921,P <0.01) in BALF of the asthma group. There was a significantly positive correlation between ANF and cGMP( r=0.848,P <0.01) in plasma of the asthma group,and a significantly positive correlation between ANF and cGMP ( r=0.831,P <0.01) in BALF of the asthma group. The levels ET-1 in the asthma+rat ANF(rANF) group were lower than those in the asthma group,and the levels of cGMP in the asthma+rat ANF(rANF) group were higher than those in the asthma group after ceasing to infuse rANF for guinea pigs for 30 minutes.CONCLUSION: ET-1 might play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma.ANF might inhibit production of ET-1.     

Role of leukotriene D4 in promoting proliferation of cultured human airway smooth muscle cells

AIM: To investigate whether leukotriene D₄(LTD₄) would stimulates proliferation of cultured human airway smooth muscle (ASMC). METHOD: Human ASMC were isolated and subcultured, varying concentration of LTD₄ were added to the media. Cell counts were obtained, -thymidine([³H]-TdR) incorporation and inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate (IP₃) accumulation were measured. RESULTS: LTD₄(0.1nmol·L^-1~10 nmol·L^-1) increased cell number and also increased incorporation of[³H]-TdR and accumulation of IP₃ in a concentration dependent manner(P＜0.01). The latter response was blocked by phospholipase C inhibition with neomycin (1 μmoL·L^-1(P＜0.01). However, neomycin had no effect on the promitogenic action of LTD₄. CONCLUSION: LTD₄ stimulates proliferation of cultured human ASMC and may play a role in airway remodeling of asthma.     

Inhibitory effect of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells from passively-sensitized patients

AIM: To investigate the effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ on the proliferation of passively-sensitized human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs), and to explore its potential role in asthmatic airway remodeling.METHODS: HASMCs were passively sensitized with 10% serum from asthmatic patients.1,25-(OH)₂D₃ was used as the interventor.The effect of 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ on the cell proliferation and its optimal concentration were determined by MTT colorimetric assay.The cell cycle analysis was performed by flow cytometry.The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was measured by the method of immunocytochemical staining.RESULTS: 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ at the concentrations of 10^-9-10^-7 mol/L markedly inhibited the cell proliferation and the maximum effect was observed at the concentration of 10^-7 mol/L.This concentration of 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ markedly suppressed the PCNA-positive rate and hampered the G₁/S transition in HASMCs passively-sensitized by asthmatic serum.CONCLUSION: 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ has direct inhibitory effects on the proliferation of passively-sensitized HASMCs in vitro, which may be concerned with the beneficial role of 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ on the prevention and therapy of asthmatic airway remodeling.     

Frequency and severity of tracheal wash hemosiderosis and association with underlying disease in 96 cats: 2002-2003

BACKGROUND: Hemosiderophages may be found in feline tracheal wash specimens in association with various disease conditions, including heart failure, trauma, infection, foreign body migration, lung lobe torsion, pulmonary embolism or infarction, neoplasia, and bleeding diathesis. Based on observations in our laboratory, we hypothesized that tracheal wash specimens from cats with asthma also frequently contain hemosiderophages, even in the absence of other known causes of pulmonary hemorrhage. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and severity of hemosiderosis in tracheal wash fluid from cats with various diseases, including asthma. METHODS: Feline tracheal wash fluid specimens submitted for cytologic evaluation between March 2002 and August 2003 were included in the study. One hundred and one specimens from 96 cats were examined with both Wright's-Giemsa and Prussian blue stains. Cats were assigned to 6 disease categories: feline asthma, pneumonia, pulmonary neoplasia, rhinitis, heart disease, and other disorders. Based on the percentage of Prussian blue-positive macrophages, hemosiderosis was categorized as negative (0%), mild (<20%), moderate (21-50%), or marked (>50%). RESULTS: The frequency of tracheal wash hemosiderosis in the study population was 63.5% (61/96); hemosiderosis was mild (29/96, 30.2%), moderate (22/96, 22.9%), or marked (10/96, 10.4%). Hemosiderosis was found in 85.7% (6/7) of cats with rhinitis, 78.6% (11/14) of cats with pulmonary neoplasia, 75.0% (27/36) of cats with asthma, 71.4% (5/7) of cats with primary or concurrent heart disease, 25.0% (5/20) of cats with pneumonia, and 66.7% (12/18) of cats with other disorders. In cats with asthma, hemosiderosis was usually mild to moderate and frequently was accompanied by increased eosinophils. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirm that hemosiderosis is a common finding in tracheal wash specimens collected from cats with diverse disease conditions, including feline asthma syndrome.