Role of neutrophil elastase and myeloperoxidase in asthma of rats

AIM:To observe the changes of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), neutrophil elastase (NE) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) expression in rat asthma. METHODS:Eighteen rats were randomly divided into two groups on average, including asthma group and control group. The rat model of asthma was established by the ovalbumin (OVA) challenge methods. Blood PMN were isolated andpurified. The protein expression of MPO were detected by immunohistochemistry and chromatometry techniques. NE was detected by ELISA. RESULTS:(1) Immunohistochemistry showed that the levels of MPO expression around bronchus and in purified PMN in asthma group were significantly increased compared with those in control group (P<0.01). Activities of MPO were significantly increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue in asthma group compared with those in control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). (2) Levels of NE were significantly increased in BALF and PMN in asthma group compared with control group (P<0.01). (3) Number of PMN were significantly higher in BALF, bronchus and lung tissue in asthma group than those in control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION:Levels of PMN counting and expression of MPO and NEare significantly increased in experimental asthma rats. PMN may be involved in inflammation in asthma via increasing the levels of NE and MPO.