Effect of Danshao Huaxian capsales on the expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 in the lung of rats with fibrosis pulmonary

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of Danshao Huaxian(DSH)capsales on matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2)and the tissue inhibitor-1 of matrix metalloproteinase(TIMP-1)in rats with pulmonary fibrosis and to explore the possible mechanism.METHODS Thirty Spague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control group,model group and treatment group.The rats of model group and the treatment group induced pulmonary fibrosis with bleomycin(5 mg·kg-1)endotracheally,while the rats of control group was given normal saline instead.From the second day of injection,the rats in the treatment group were administered intragastricly with DSH(0.8 g·kg-1·d-1)while the other rats were given normal saline instead.All rats were sacrificed on the twenty-eighth day.The lung coefficient were observed.The rat lung histopathology was examined with HE staining.Lung hydroxyproline(Hyp) content was evaluated.The expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 were examined by immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the lung coefficient and the Hyp content and expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 were significantly increased,the degree of pulmonary alveoli inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis were detected in the model group.After 4weeks DSH treatment.The lung coefficient were significantly decreased.The degree of pulmonary alveoli inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis was significantly relieved.Hyp content and expression of MMP-2/TIMP-1 were obviously decreased in the treatment group.CONCLUSION DSH has a good action against experimental pulmonary fibrosis which may happen through adjusting the ratio of MMP-2/TIMP-1 to inhibit the progress of the fibrosis.