[The effect of triptolide on the proliferation of airway smooth muscle and the expression of c-fos and c-jun in asthmatic rats]

Abstract

Objective: To study the effect of triptolide on airway smooth muscle (ASM) proliferation and expressions of c-fos and c-jun in asthmatic rats.

Methods: 70 healthy male sprague-dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups of 10 each. The asthmatic model was established by ovalbumin inhalation and injection. The mRNA expression of c-fos and c-jun were examined by RT-PCR and their protein expression by immunohistochemical method. The airway wall thickness, the ASM thickness, the number of ASM nucleus and pulmonary tissue changes were observed with microscope.

Results: c-fos and c-jun mRNA and protein expressions of asthma groups A and five therapy groups (C, D, E, F and G) were significantly higher than those in the control group B (P < 0.01). The expressions were lower in group C, D, E, F and G than those in group A (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the expressions among group C, D, E, F and G (P > 0.05). Triptolide decreased ASM proliferation pathologically in asthmatic rats.

Conclusions: ASM proliferation is a feature of asthma. c-fos and c-jun may promote ASM proliferation in asthma. The remarkable inhibition of ASM proliferation by triptolide was probably due to its inhibitory effect on the expression of c-fos and c-jun.