Objective To observe the possible mechanism and inhibitory effects of curcumin on pulmonary fibrosis induced bleomycin in rats at the fibrosing stage. Methods 80 male Sprague-Dawley rats were random divided into 4 groups (20 rats in each group). Rats in the fibrosis model group, the prednisone group and the curcumin group were induced by instilled bleomycin through tracheal, rats in the control group with same volume normal saline. Since the 15th day after bleomycin administration, the curcumin group and prednisone group were given curcumin (300 mg/kg) or prednisone (5mg/kg) per day by intragastric administration, respectively. The normal control group and the model group were given 1% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose ( 10ml/kg). Six rats of each group were random sacrificed on the 21st, 28th, 42nd and 56th days after bleomycin administration. The histological changes of the pulmonary were evaluated by H. E and Masson dyeing. The expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and hydroxyproline in the tissue of pulmonary were assessed by immunohistochemistry and digestion method. Results Pulmonary fibrosis and hydroxyproline level in the curcumin group were obviously reduced as compared with the model group on the 42nd and 56th day[42 d:1. 28 ±0. 61 vs 2. 28 ±0. 39,P <0. 01 ;(1.73 ±0. 22)mg/g vs (2.50 ±0. 37) mg/g, P <0.01;56 d:1.00 ±0.59 vs 1.73 ±0.36, P< 0. 05; ( 1.57 ± 0. 36) mg/g vs (2. 20 ± 0. 42) mg/g, P < 0. 01 ], and it was also lower than that in prednisone group on the 42nd day( P < 0. 05 ). The expression of TGF-β1 and PDGF in the curcumin group were obviously lower than that in the model group on the 28th, 42nd and 56th day[28 d:TGF-β1 :3642. 05 ±839. 31 vs 5067. 35 ±738. 39, P <0. 05 ;PDGF:2957. 55 ±739. 16 vs 4457. 75 ±568. 39, P <0. 05;42 d: TGF-β1: 2689. 73 ± 529.22 vs 4089. 50 ± 619. 37, P < 0. 01; PDGF: 2834. 46 ± 567. 16 vs 3239. 52 ±628. 26, P <0. 01 ;56 d:TGF-β1: 1968.57 ±408. 36 vs 2968.20 ±498.42, P <0. 01 ;PDGF: 1083.36 ±381.35 vs 2019. 40 ±412. 36, P <0. 01 ], which was lower than that in prednisone group on the 42nd and 56th day (42 d,TGF-β1 :3529. 07 ±981.35,PDGF:2618. 34 ±813. 34;56 d,TGF-β1 :2530. 83 ±439. 37,PDGF: 1738. 35 ±536. 62, Pall <0. 05 ) , and it had no obvious difference compared with control group on the 56th day ( P > 0. 05 ). Conclusion Curcumin could alleviate bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats at the fibrosing stage by inhibiting the expressions of TGF-β1 and PDGF.

Objective To observe the effects of CD4~+ CD25~+ regulatory T cells ( CD4~+ CD25~+ Treg) on the airway inflammation of asthmatic rats. Methods CD4~+ CD25~+ Treg of OVA- immune tolerance rats were transferred to asthmatic rats. Then bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected, and cytology study was conducted. The IL-4, IL-5, IFN-γ and OVA-specific serum IgE level in BALF were determined by ELISA. The lung tissue was obtained, and histologieal analysis was done through H. E. Results Total cells number, the percentage of lymphocytes and neutrophils in BALF, the IL-4 and IL-5 BALF levels and the OVA-specific serum IgE level of adoptive transfer group were decreased ( P < 0.05 ) , and the percentage of eosinophils ( Eos) was significantly lower than that of asthma group ( P < 0.01) , while its BALF IFN-γ level was higher than that of asthma group( P <0. 05). Compared with that of asthma group, peribronchiole inflammatory of treated group was alleviated. Conclusion CD4 ~+ CD25~+ Treg of OVA- immune tolerance rats transferred to asthmatic rats can significantly alleviate the airway inflammation of asthmatic rats.

Objective To investigate the changes of estrogen receptor expression in mast cells of bronchial mucosa from female asthmatic patients.Methods 12 cases of female asthmatic patients and 9 cases of control female patients were enrolled in this study.The bronchial mucosa was obtained from the third grade bronchial by fiexible bronchofiberscope.Mast cells were marked by anti-mast cell tryptase monoclonal antibody,the expression of estrogen receptor(ER)were detected by anti-human estrogen receptor(ER)monoclonal antibodies.Results Mast cells and estrogen receptor positive cells of bronchial mucosa in female asthmatic patients were significantly higher than that in control group(P＜0.01).Coincident with the known features of bronchial asthma,the cells positive for estrogen receptor were morphologically similar to the mast cells.The cells stained for estrogen receptors by dual immunostaining coincided exactly with cells labeled as mast cells.Conclusion The result suggested the estrogen may be involved in the pathogenesis of female asthmatic patient through the changes of estrogen receptor expression in mast cells of bronchial mucosa.