Effect of Bufeitang on Expression of IFN-γ and IL-4 in Rats with Pulmonary Fibrosis

Objective:To observe the influence of Bufeitang on the expression of IFN-γ and IL-4 in rats' serum,and to study the therapeutic effects and possible mechanism of it on interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. Methods:96 healthy SD rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=24):normal control group,model group,prednisone group,Bufeitang group. Induction of the rat models of pulmonary fibrosis by injecting Bleomycin endotracheal except the normal control group which were administered with saline (1mL/100g) under the same condition,while the Bufeitang group and the prednisone group were given the liquid extract of Bufeitang (2.1g/200g) and the mistura of prednisone (6.3mg/kg) and saline respectively by intragastric administration. 8 rats were killed in each group on the 7th,14th and 28th days after the model was setting up. We collected the blood serum in which the expression of INF-γ and IL-4 were detected with ELISA and the lung tissues which were stained by HE and MASSON in order to study the level of pulmonary alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis. Results:The expression of IFN-γ in Bufeitang and prednisone group showed markedly higher than that of the model group in each stages (P0.05). The IL-4 expression in prednisone group was much lower than that in the model group in each stages (P0.05),while it decreased on the 28th day (P0.05). Conclusion :The Bufeitang has the effect to treat the pulmonary fibrosis,and the possible mechanism is that it could promote the secretion of IFN-γ ,inhibit the secretion of IL-4 in serum,accordingly adjust the balance between Th1 and Th2.