Effects of cigarette smoke exposure on expression of basic fibroblast growth factor and matrixmetalloproteinase-12 in pulmonary vascular of rats

Objective To observe the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-12(MMP-12)in pulmonary vascular wall induced by cigarette smoke exposure in rats,and to explore their role in pulmonary vascular remodeling. Methods 40 male SD rats were randomly divided into control group,smoke exposure for one month group,smoke exposure for two months group,smoke exposure for three months group, with ten rats in each group. The ratio of pulmonary vascular wall thickness and vascular external diameter(WT%),and the ratio of pulmonary vascular wall area and total pulmonary vascular area(WA%) were measured by the image analysis system.The collagen fiber formation was observed by Van Gieson staining.The expressions of b FGF and MMP-12 in pulmonary vascular wall were detected by immunohistochemical staining, the protein expression was reflected by average grey value. Results ①As the extension of smoke exposure time, WT% and WA% were increased gradually,there was statistical significance among groups(P< 0.05). ②As the extension of smoke exposure time,bFGF and MMP-12 protein expressions increased,there was statistical significance among groups(P< 0.05).③bFGF was positivily correlated with WT%(r= - 0.748,P< 0.05) and WA%(r=- 0.834, P< 0.05), MMP-12 was positivily correlated with WT%(r=- 0.565,P< 0.05)and WA%(r=- 0.504, P< 0.05),bFGF was positively related with MMP-12(r= 0.738, P< 0.05) Conclusions By upregulating the expressions of bFGF and MMP-12 protein in pulmonary vascular,cigarette smoke exposure induces the remodeling of pulmonary vascular. Key words: Smoke exposure; Pulmonary vascular remodeling; Basic fibroblast growth factor; Matrix metalloproteinase-12