OBJECTIVETo observe the expression and effect of thrombomodulin (TM) mRNA and endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) mRNA in lung tissue of acute paraquat poisoned rats, and intervention of sodium dimercaptopropane sulfonate (Na-DMPS).

METHODSEighty male SD rats were randomizedly divided into four groups: the normal control group (n=8), the Na-DMPS control group (n=8, administered with 200 mg/kg Na-DMPS intraperitoneally), the PQ group (n=32, administered with 20 mg/kg 1% PQ intraperitoneally), the NA-DMPS protected group (n=32, administered with 200 mg/kg Na-DMPS intraperitoneally before with 20 mg/kg 1% PQ). The expression of TM mRNA and EPCR mRNA in the PQ group and the Na-DMPS protected group was evaluated at the six hour, on the first, third and seventh day.

RESULTSThe expression of TM mRNA and EPCR mRNA in lung tissue of poisoned rats, was significantly increased and reached the peak at the six hour, was decreased slowly on the first day, and returned to normal level on the seventh day. In the Na-DMPS protected group, at the six hour and on the first day, the expression of TM mRNA (1.071 +/- 0.097, 1.055 +/- 0.051) was less than that in the PQ group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). EPCR mRNA (0.678 +/- 0.005), (0.650 +/- 0.007) at the six hour and on the first day in the Na-DMPS protected group was less than that in the PQ group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of TM mRNA and EPCR mRNA of rats after PQ intoxication is increased, and can significantly be decreased after administered with Na-DMPS.