Effect of Qingfei Huatan Tongluo Fang on the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in rats with pulmonary fibrosis

Objective To discuss the preventive effect and possible mechanism of Qingfei Huatan Tongluo Fang on model rats with pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin A5(BLMA5).Methods Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group,the model group and the intervention group.The rats in the model group and the intervention group were given BLMA5 though trachea cannula to establish pulmonary fibrosis model,the control group was given normal saline though trachea cannula;the control group and the model group were gastric lavaged by normal saline,intervention group was gastric lavaged by Qingfei Huatan Tongluo Fang.After gastric lavage of 3,7,14,28 days,rats were killed respectively.The pathological changes of lung tissue were observed by HE and Masson staining,and the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in lung tissue were detected by immunohistochemical staining.Results The rats' general physical condition could be significantly improved by the Qingfei Huatan Tongluo Fang,the pulmonary alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis degree reduced also.The intervention group and the model group of intrapulmonary MMP-2 expression achieved the peak in the 14th day,but the expression of MMP-9 peaked at 7th days.The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in both model group and intervention group were higher than the control group at the the same time(P 0.05);the MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in the intervention group were lower than the model group at the same period(P 0.01).Conclusion Qingfei Huatan Tongluo Fang has certain treatment effect on pulmonary fibrosis in the model rats induced by BLMA5,the mechanisms probably through inhibition of excessive expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in intrapulmonary.