Effect of atorvastatin on the transforming growth factor-β1-induced differentiation of lung fibroblast in rats

【Objective】To observe the effect of atorvastatin in inhibiting the proliferation of lung fibroblast in rat model of pulmonary fibrosis and its influence on lung fibroblast which induced by transforming growth factor-β1.【Methods】The Wistar rat model of pulmonary fibrosis was established.1 week later,the lung tissue were taken and lung fibroblast primary culture was cultured After the fibroblasts were identified,various concentratios of atorvastatin solution were administered to detect the proliferation of fibroblasts in experimental group by MTT colorimetry.Using transforming growth factor-β1 to induce the fibroblast differente to myofibroblast,and various concentrations of atorvastatin solution were administered to detect its influence on the expression of α-smooth mucel actin in the myofibroblast by immunocytochemical stain method.【Results】The test of MTT showed,and results showes there were significant difference in the values of OD between the five groups and seven days(P0.01).There were interaction in value of OD between five groups and seven days(P0.01).The inhibition in proliferation of lung fibroblasts by atorvastatin were significantly different in various concentration groups(P0.01).The results of immunocytochemical stain showsed that Drug factor in experiment group and control group showed its inhibition in the expression of α-SMA(P 0.01).The block factor had effect on expression of α-SMA(P 0.01).【Conclusions】Atorvastatin could inhibit the proliferation of lung fibrosis in established fibrosis of the rat lung,and could inhibit the TGF-β1-induced differention of lung fibroblast,it is reflected on at lest three aspects: to inhibits the growth of lung fibrosis;to alter the shape of myofibroblast and to decrease the expression of α-SMA.