Effects of p38 MAPK kinase inhibitor SB203580 on the airway inflammation and Th2 cytokines in asthmatic mice

Aim To explore the effects of SB203580,a special inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38 MAPK),on the airway inflammation and Th2 cytokines,interleukin 4(IL-4) and IL-5,in asthmatic mice.Methods Thirty mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control,asthmatic group and SB203580 group.The expression of IL-4 mRNA and IL-5 mRNA in lung tissue and IL-4 and IL-5 protein in bronchial alveolar lavage fluid(BALF) were detected using in situ hybridization and ELISA,respectively.The number of inflammatory cells in BALF and histopathological changes were observed.Results The number of inflammatory cells and the concentrations of IL-4 and IL-5 in BALF,and the expression of IL-4 mRNA and IL-5 mRNA in lung tissue were higher in the asthmatic mice than in the normal control mice(P0.01);and those in SB203580-treated mice were lower than in the asthmatic mice(P0.01).The histopathological damage was alleviated in the SB203580 group mice as compared to the asthmatic group mice.Conclusions SB203580 can inhibit the aggregation of airway inflammatory cells and the expression of inflammatory cytokines.The inhibition by p38 MAPK may be a new way to treat asthma.