ABSTRACT
Aim The expression of NF-?B activation and the effect of antioxidant (N- acetylcysteine, NAC) on NF-?B activity in human airway epithelial cell was assessed. Methods Using the TNF-?,the airway epithelial cell strains of normal subject(16HBE) and tumor patient (H292) was activated and using Western-Blot and ELISA the expression of NF-?B and IL-8 were detected. Results It was found that the activity of NF-?B could be stimulated by the TNF-? and increase with the amount of TNF-? with the peak occurring at 2 to 4 hours after stimulation and then decreasing at six hours. At the same time, the level of IL-8 was elevated, but decreased with inhibition of NF-?B activity by NAC, that means the action of NAC has a dose-dependent effect. Conclusion NAC not only blocks the signal transmission activated by NF-?B, but also anticipates the transcription modulation of expression of many cell factors and inflammatory mediums. It suggests that NAC may play a role in the anti-inflammatory treatment of respiratory diseases.