Effects of Yiqihuoxue on cytokine expression in pulmonary fibrosis model in rats

Objective:To investigate the effect of Yiqihuoxue(YQHX)on TGF-β1 and TNF-αexpressions in lung tissues in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis model in rats.Methods:Animal model of bleomycinA5-induced pulmonary fibrosis was established by BLEMA5 in rats.20 Wistar rats were divided into normal control,fibrosis,treatment and corticosteroids groups.Normal control group was given 0.9% saline(2 ml/kg)intratracheally by instillation,fibrosis group bleomycinA5(5 mg/kg)intratracheally by instillation,treatment group YQHX 1,2,3(250 mg/kg)daily by oral,and corticosteroids group hydrocortisone(25 mg/kg im)daily.All rats were killed on 28 days.The HE and the VG stain were pathologically examined and the expression of TGF-β1 and TNF-α mRNA in the lung tissues were analyzed by nucleic acid hybridization in situ.Results:YQHX1,2,3 obviously alleviated rats alveolitis and fibrosis.TGF-β1 and TNF-αlevels were higher in fibrosis group than those in normal control and treatment group(P0.01).Conclusion:YQHX1,2,3 can treat pulmonary fibrosis through reducing the expression of TGF-β1 and TNF-α in lung tissues.