Effects of Zhichuan decoction on MMP-9,TIMP-1 during airway remodeling in asthmatic rats

Objective:To investigate the effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) on airway remodeling and the expression of MM P-9 and TIMP-1 in asthmatic rats.Methods:Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups equally:normal control group,asthmatic group,budesonide aerosol group,scutellaria baicalensis group and Zhichuan decoction group.The model of asthma was established by OVA(ovalbumin)sensitizing and challenging;some lung tissues were sliced and stained with HE and morphological indicators of airway were measured by image analysis,the other lung tissues were sliced and stained with Immunohistochemistry and the expression of MMP-9、TIMP-1 and collagen type IV was observed.Results:Compared with normal controls,the thickness of airway wall in asthmatic models was significantly increased,and the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 was also increased significantly(P0.01).After intervention with TCM and budesonide aerosol,compared with asthmatic models,the thickness of airway became thinner significantly,meanwhile,the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 was significantly decreased(P0.01);then compared the two TCM,pulmonary fibrosis of intervention with compound medical herbs was lighter than intervention with the single(P0.05).Airway wall thickness and collagen type IV were associated with MMP-1、TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1.Conclusions:The TCM could decrease the deposition of collagen type IV and reduce the airway thickness by regulating MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels and influencing the balance between MMP-9 and TIMP-1,the compound based on asthmatic basic pathogenesis of TCM is superior to single herbs.