OBJECTIVETo study the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in the airway and the effect of budesonide on their expression in rats with asthma.

METHODSForty-five Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into three group: placebo control, untreated asthma, and budesonide-treated asthma. Asthma was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 10% ovalbumin (OVA) on days 1 and 8 and then challenged by inhalation of 1% OVA aerosol. The budesonide-treated asthma group received an inhalation of budesonide (1 mg) 30 minutes after OVA challenge. The pathological changes of the airway were assessed, and the expression of b-FGF and NF-kappaB in the airway was assayed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSBudesonide treatment alleviated airway injuries. Compared with the control group, b-FGF and NF-kappaB expression in the airway in the untreated asthma group increased significantly (P< 0.05). The budesonide-treated asthma group demonstrated significantly decreased b-FGF (111.61+/- 5.52 vs 126.21+/- 6.46; P< 0.05) and NF-kappaB expression (110.65+/- 8.71 vs 134.15+/- 9.42; P< 0.05) in the airway as compared with the untreated asthma group. B-FGF expression was positively correlated to NF-kappaB expression in the budesonide-treated group.

CONCLUSIONSb-FGF and NF-kappaB may be associated with airway remodeling in rats with asthma. Budesonide can improve airway remodeling, possibly by decreasing the expression of b-FGF and NF-kappaB.