Objective To investigate the effects of extracts of Pinellia ( EP) on a rat model of airway mucus hypersecretion induced by LPS. Methods Thirty Wisatr rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, ie. a blank group, a model group, and three EP groups treated with different doses of EP. There were 6 rats in each group. Airway mucus hypersecretion model was established by intratracheally instillation of LPS in the model group and three EP groups. The rats in three EP groups were orally administered with EP at dosages of 10 g/kg, 30 g/kg and 60 g/kg respectively for 4 days. The expression of Mucin 5AC ( MUC5AC) protein in airway was assayed by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expressions of MUC5AC and Aquaporin-5( AQP-5) in lung tissue were detected by RT-PCR. ELISA technique was performed to detect TNF-αin bronchoalveolar lavage fluid( BALF) . Results LPS significantly stimulated the mRNA and protein expression of MUC5AC in lung and TNF-αlevel in BALF, and inhibited the expression of AQP-5 mRNA in lung. The EP at dosages of 10 g / kg and 30 g/ kg had little effect on mucus hypersecretion. While 60 g/kg of EP could significantly inhibited the expression of MUC5AC, and decreased the release of TNF-α in BALF. The AQP-5 mRNA was also up-regulated by 60 g /kg of EP. The expression of MUC5AC mRNA was positively correlated with level of TNF-α( r = 0. 948, P lt;0. 05) ; AQP-5 mRNA was negatively correlated with MUC5AC mRNA and TNF-α( r = - 0. 955, P lt; 0. 05; r = - 0. 909, P lt; 0. 05) . Conclusion EP ( 60 g/ kg) can significantly attenuated airway mucus hypersecretion in rats.
ObjectiveTo investigate the expression and pathological significance of neutrophil elastase (NE) and mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) rats. MethodsA total of 60 male specific pathogens free Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into model group and blank group, each with 30 rats. The number of goblet cells and the positive expression of NE and MUC5AC were compared between the two groups by hematoxylin-eosin staining, alcianblue-periodic acid Schiff staining and immunohistochemical staining. ResultsNo rats died accidentally during the experiment. The number of goblet cells was 57.93±7.79 in the model group and 6.80±3.19 in the blank group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (t=−44.267, P<0.05). The median (lower quartile, upper quartile) of the positive expression score of NE was 0 (0, 0) in the blank group and 2 (2, 3) in the model group, the median (lower quartile, upper quartile) of the positive expression score of MUC5AC was 0 (0, 1) in the blank group and 2 (2, 2) in the model group, and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05).ConclusionsThe positive expression of NE, goblet cells, MUC5AC and mucus secretion in COPD model rats increases significantly. Perhaps NE and MUC5AC can be used as target interventions to inhibit mucus hypersecretion.