Effects of triptolide on the changes of endothelin-1 in plasma and lungs of asthmatic guinea-pigs

Objective To investigate the effects of Triptolide(TP) on the changes of endothelin 1(ET 1) in plasma and lungs of asthmatic guinea pigs.Methods Forty two male guinea pigs were randomly devided into 3 groups:(1)control group(C);(2)asthmatic group,subdivided into 4 hours group(A 4),8 hours subgroup(A 8),chronic asthmatic subgroup(A 2W );(3)asthmatic managed group with TP,subdivided into 4 hours subgroup(T 4),8 hours subgroup(T 8),chronic asthmatic subgroup(T 2W ),with 6 guinea pigs in each subgroup.We measured the contents of ET 1 in plasma and lung with radioimmunoassay.Results The contents of ET 1 in plasma of C and T 2W were significantly higher than those in lung,and significantly lower in A 4,T 4,A 8.The contents of ET 1 in plasma of A 8,T 8 and in lung of A 4,T 4,A 8 were significantly higher than thoses in C.On the other hand,the content of ET 1 in lung of asthmatic managed groups were significantly lower than those in asthmatic subgroups.Conclusion The results suggest that TP can inhibit the synthesis and secretion and effects of ET 1 in lungs of asthmatic guinea pigs,and decreases leakage to blood.It may be the major one of mechanisms of TP treating asthma.