ABSTRACT
AIM:To dynamically observe and compare the relative changes of the indexes from the process of acute inflammation to chronic remodeling in asthmatic mice induced by ovalbumin ( OVA) .METHODS:Female BALB/c mice (n=60) were randomly divided into normal control group and asthma group .The mice in asthma group were sensi-tized and challenged by OVA , while the mice in normal group received equal volume of normal saline ( NS) .The challenge was performed for 3 consecutive days from the 21th day to observe the response of acute inflammation , and then the mice in different groups were challenged once per week for 5 weeks.Detailed comparisons of the dynamic changes of cell infiltra-tion, cytokine expression and airway remodeling were conducted .RESULTS:Compared with NS group , the mice in OVA group showed a predominantly eosinophilic infiltration into the airway lumen , increased production of Th 2-type cytokines , secretion of epithelial mucus and deposition of subepithelial collagen .In OVA challenge groups , the levels of inflammatory cells and inflammatory factors were remarkably higher in 24 d group, whereas the most obvious changes of goblet cell hyper-plasia and airway remodeling were observed in 52 d group.CONCLUSION:Acute asthma model is sufficiently induced by 3 consecutive days of OVA challenge protocol , which is accompanied with high levels of inflammatory cells and inflammato-ry factors.The OVA challenge protocol once per week for 5 weeks could induce a chronic asthma model with obvious airway remodeling .