Effects of Curcumine on airway remodeling and TGF-β_1 mRNA in asthmatic mice

AIM:To investigate the effects of Curcumine on airway remodeling and the expression of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)mRNA in asthmatic mice.METHODS:Forty-eight mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group,asthma group,Dexamethson treatment group and Curcumine treatment group.The mice were sensitized and challenged by OVA to establish sensitive and asthmatic models.Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected and the number of white blood cells and eosinophilic granulocytes(EOS) was counted.The morphological parameters of the bronchi were measured by computer image analysis and the pathologic alterations of the bronchi and lung tissue were observed by HE staining.The expressions of TGF-β1 and TGF-β1 mRNA were detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR.RESULTS:The counts of EOS in control group,asthma group,Dexamethson treatment group and Curcumine treatment group were(0.51±0.17)×108/L,(7.42±0.33)×108/L,(4.89±0.75)×108/L and(3.14±0.24)×108/L respectively and the count of EOS in asthma group was significantly higher than that in control group(P0.01).Extensive airway inflammation was observed in asthma group,including prominent proliferation of airway epithelial cells,increased thickness of smooth muscle,hyperplasia of connective tissue,and a marked increase in airway mucus secretion with mucus plugging.A great deal of collagen deposition was also seen in the bronchus submucosa,the afferent wall and surroundings and the lung interstition.The inflammation significantly decreased in Curcumine treatment group,with decreased production of mucus,decreased collagen and granule of mucus around airway,less proliferation of airway epithelium,and less smooth muscle hypertrophy and airway spasm.The expression of TGF-β1 in control group,asthma group,Dexamethson treatment group and Curcumine treatment group was 8.3%(1/12),66.7%(8/12),41.7%(5/12)and 25.0%(3/12)respectively,with statistical significance between any of the 2 groups(P0.01).CONCLUSION:Curcumine effectively alleviates airway inflammation and reverses the airway remodeling by inhibiting the expressions of TGF-β1.