Effccts of acupoint injection of astragalus on the expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and Th1/Th2 cytokines in asthma rats
Zhong Haibo, Guo Yuping, Wu Huihong, Pan Haiyan
Published 2014-07-01
Cite as Int Med Health Guid News, 2014,20(13): 1847-1851. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1007-1245.2014.13.005
Abstract
Objective To observe the expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and Th1/Th2 Cytokines in lung tissue of asthmatic rats,and explore the effects and possible mechanism treated by astragalus in acupoint injection.Methods Forty SD rats were randomly divided into four groups (10/ group):normal control group,asthma model group,dexamethasone group,acupoint injection of astragalus group.In the experiment,the asthmatic rat models were set up by the ovalbumin (OVA) sensitized methods.,The level of IL-4 and IFN-γ in serum and the expression of phospho-p38MAPK in lung tissue were respectively tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot.Results 1.Compared with norual control group,the level of IL-4 in serum and the expression of phospho-p38MAPK in lung tissue were significantly higher in asthma model group,while IFN-γ was lower (P ＜ 0.05).2.Compared with asthma model group,the level of IL-4 in serum and the expression of phospho-p38MAPK in lung tissue were significantly lower in acupoint injection of astragalus group,while IFN-γ was higher (P ＜ 0.05).3.The level of IL-4 in serum in acupoint injection of astragalus group was higher than that of dexamethasone group,while the expression of phospho-p38MAPK and the level of IFN-γ in serum were in contrast (P ＜ 0.05).4.Acupoint injection of astragalus could significantly alleviate the histopathological damage of lung tissue in asthmatic rats.5.There were positive correlations between the expression of phospho-p38 MAPK and the level of IL-4 in serum (r =0.596,P ＜ 0.05),and negative correlations between the expression of phospho-p38 MAPK and the level of IFN-γ in serum (r =-0.634,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion p38MAPK may play a role in pathogenesis of asthma.Compared with glucocorticoid,acupoint injection of astragalus could make an effect on the protection of asthmatic rats which may be associated with the inhibiting the expression of phospho-p38 MAPK,the depression of IL-4 and the improvement of IFN-γ,while the effects on the level of cytokines and the expression of phospho-p38 MAPK may be different.
Key words:
Bronchial asthma; Cytokine; Astragalus injection; p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase; Acupoint injection
Contributor Information
Zhong Haibo
Respiratory Department, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Guangzhou 510220, China
Guo Yuping
Respiratory Department, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Guangzhou 510220, China
Wu Huihong
Respiratory Department, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Guangzhou 510220, China
Pan Haiyan
Respiratory Department, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Guangzhou 510220, China
