Therapeutical effect of surfactant on airway remodeling in rats with allergic asthma

    OUYANG Haiª²Feng, NI Dianª²Tao, WU Changª²Gui

    Department of Respiratory, Xijing Hospital, Forth Military Medical University, Xi¬ðan 710033, China

    ¡¾Abstract¡¿ AIM: To study therapeutical effect of surfactant on airway remodeling in rats with allergic asthma and investigate the possible mechanism. METHODS: Sixty rats were randomly divided into three groups: control(20),asthmatic(20) and therapeutic group(20).After incubating with different stimulus, lung tissue section were stained with HE. Using image analysis system to measure the airway internal perimeter, wall area, external perimeter, etc. and calculate percentage of muscle shortening (PMS) according to formula. The express and distribution of EGF in small airway of rats were shown with immunohistochemistry technique. RESULTS: ¢Ù The degree of airway remodeling in therapeutic group decreased significantly than that in asthmatic group, but compared with control group it was not statistically significant. ¢ÚResponsiveness of airway smooth muscle to adenosine (represented by PMS) in asthmatic group increased 24% than that in control group, but compared with asthmatic group PMS decreased 15% in therapeutic group; PMS to acetylcholine in asthmatic group increased 24% than that in control group, but compared with asthmatic group PMS decreased 15% in therapeutic group. ¢ÛIn the asthmatic group, the express and distribution of EGF increased significantly than that in controls(P<0.01). Meanwhile, in therapeutic group, it decreased significantly than that in asthmatic group(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Exogenous PS can prevent airway remodeling in rats with allergic asthma effectively and this may be associated with the downregulation the synthesis and release of EGF. ......