Effects of cyclosporin A on pulmonary fibrosis in rats

Objective To study the effects of cyclosporin A on pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin in rats.Methods Forty-five Wistar rats were divided into three groups in random:saline group,untreated model group and cyclosporin A-treated group.Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed in the rats for the enumeration of cells and the concentrations of translation growth factor-β(TGF-β).Lung tissues of tested animals were pathologically observed and immunohistochemically stained.Results On the 7th day after bleomycin instillation,serious alveolitis presented.On the 28th day,the serious pulmonary fibrosis formed.In contrast to the bleomycin group,early in the course of the cyclosporin A-treated group,there was mild inflammatory morphology microscopically.The TGF-β concentration in BALF and expressions of FN and PDGF decreased more in the cyclosporin A-treated group than those in the bleomycin group.The pulmonary fibrosis in the cyclosporin A-treated group was almost disappeared on the 28th day.Conclusion Cyclosporin A may have an inhibitory effect on process of the pulmonary fibrosis through inhibiting expression of TGF-β,FN and PDGF.