[Effect of N-acetylcysteine on HMGB1 and RAGE expression in the lungs of asthmatic mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of HMGB1 and RAGE mRNA in the lungs of asthmatic mice and the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on their expression. METHODS: Twenty-one female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group, asthma group and NAC group (n=7). The expressions of HMGB1 and RAGE mRNA and their distributions in the lungs were detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: The expression levels of HMGB1 and RAGE mRNA were not significantly different between the control group (0.88-/+0.02 and 1.20-/+0.20, respectively) and the asthma model group (0.86-/+0.05 and 1.21-/+0.08, P>0.05). After NAC treatment, both of HMGB1 and RAGE mRNA levels (0.98-/+0.05 and 1.58-/+0.21) were significantly higher than those in the other two groups (P<0.05). HMGB1 was found in the nuclei and membrane of the bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells, and RAGE was located on the membrane of the alveolar epithelial cells. CONCLUSION: HMGB1 and RAGE may play a role in the oxidative stress during asthma, but the exact mechanism needs further investigation.