Effect of N-acetylcysteine on HMGB1 and RAGE expression in the lungs of asthmatic mice.
- Author:
Liang FU
1
;
Shao-xi CAI
;
Hai-jin ZHAO
;
Wen-jun LI
;
Wan-cheng TONG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Acetylcysteine; pharmacology; Animals; Asthma; physiopathology; Female; Free Radical Scavengers; pharmacology; Gene Expression; drug effects; HMGB1 Protein; biosynthesis; genetics; Immunohistochemistry; Lung; drug effects; metabolism; pathology; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; biosynthesis; genetics; RNA, Messenger; biosynthesis; genetics; Random Allocation; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- From: Journal of Southern Medical University 2008;28(5):692-695
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of HMGB1 and RAGE mRNA in the lungs of asthmatic mice and the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on their expression.
METHODSTwenty-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.
RESULTSThe 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.
CONCLUSIONHMGB1 and RAGE may play a role in the oxidative stress during asthma, but the exact mechanism needs further investigation.
