AIM: To study the effect of Aima recipe (AM), a traditional Chinese medicine, on the protein and mRNA expression of TNF? and ICAM-1 in the bronchus of rats with chronic bronchitis(CB). METHODS: 15 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, chronic bronchitis (CB) group, CB plus AM group. The protein and mRNA expression of TNF? and ICAM-1 were assayed by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization methods. RESULTS: TNF?, ICAM-1 protein and mRNA were more strongly expressed in the area of bronchial epithelium in the CB group compared with control group ( P

AIM: To investigate proliferation and apoptosis of cultured endothelial cell (ECV-304 cell line) induced by varied concentrations of oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). METHODS: Cell morphology, Typan blue test, MTT test, LDH release test, flow cytometry and micro-molecular weight DNA fragment gel electrophoresis of apoptosis were used for the detection of the cytotoxic effects of ox-LDL on ECV-304 cell line. RESULTS: 0 1, 1, 10 mg/L ox-LDL could promote proliferation of ECV-304 cells. When the concentration of ox-LDL reached up to 100 mg/L and above, the distinct cytotoxic effect appeared. Further study showed that the apoptosis rate of endothelial cells, induced by ox-LDL of 150 mg/L and 200 mg/L for 12 hours, are 15 86% and 21 89%, respectively. 18 h and above hours after incubation, the apoptosis rate began to decrease and rate of necrosis increased. CONCLUSION: ox-LDL has strong cytotoxic effects on endothelial cells and could give rise to different pathologic process, such as proliferation, apoptosis prophase, apoptosis and necrosis.