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.
Objective To explore the effect of leukotriene receptor antagonist montelukast on physicochemical property of sputum and airway mucus hypersecretion in patients with acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis. Methods Eighty-four inpatients with acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis were randomly divided into a control group and an experiment group, with 42 cases in each group. The control group received conventional therapy and the experiment group took orally montelukast 10 mg before sleep every day based on conventional therapy for two weeks. At admission and 15 days after admission, the amount in 24 hours, dry/wet weight ratio and viscosity of sputum were observed while the levels of neutrophil elastase (NE) and mucin MUC5ac in sputum were determined by ELISA. The pulmonary ventilation function, airway resistance and blood gas analysis were also measured. Results The sputum amount in 24 hours, dry/wet weight ratio and viscosity of sputum, NE and MUC5ac of sputum, pulmonary ventilation function, blood gas analysis and airway resistance were declined or improved remarkably after treatment compared with before treatment in two groups (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the sputum amount in 24 hours [(5.62±1.83) g vs. (7.53±2.32) g], NE [(3.85±0.97) μg/ml vs. (4.54±1.03) μg/ml], MUC5ac [(0.65±0.21) μg/ml vs. (0.82± 0.29) μg/ml] and the airway resistance [(119.16±11.76)% vs. (128.37±12.08)%] were declined remarkably in the experiment group compare with the control group after treatment (all P<0.05). The viscosity of sputum between the two groups after treatment showed no significant difference. Conclusion In patients with acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis, montelukast can reduce amount of sputum and airway resistance, reduce expression of mucin MUC5ac through down-regulation of NE, thus inhibit airway mucus hypersecretion.