Effect of Specific Inhibitor of P38 Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase SB203580 on Mast Cells in a Mouse Model of Asthma

Objective: To explore the effects of SB203580,a special inhibitor of P38 mitogen activated protein kinase(P38 MAPK) on mast cells in a mouse model of asthma.Methods: Thirty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups(n=10 each):control group,asthmatic group and SB203580 treatment group.Mice in asthmatic group and SB203580 intervention group were sensitized and challenged by chicken ovalbumin(OVA).One hour before challenge,mice in SB203580 intervention group were exposed to OVA aerosol,5 mg/kg SB203580 were injected intraperitoneally,while mice in control group and asthmatic group were given intraperitoneal injection of saline.All the mice were killed 24 hours after the last challenge and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) was collected for cytological analysis.The lung slides were examined histologically.The protein expression of mast cell tryptase was measured by immunohistochemistry.Results: The number of inflammatory cells in BALF and the expression of tryptase(mean optical density,MOD: 0.239±0.011) in the lung were significantly higher in the asthmatic group than those in the control group.Compared with the asthmatic group,the number of inflammatory cells in BALF were less,the expression of tryptase(MOD: 0.195±0.005) in the lung the treatment group was lower,and the histopathologic lesions of lung tissue reduced.Conclusion: SB203580 has a certain role on the inhibition of recruitment and activation of mast cells in asthmatic mice.