ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the features of the airway inflammation in a rat model of chronic bronchitis and study the role of IL-8 in the pathogenesis of chronic bronchitis. Methods The rat model of chronic bronchitis was set up by injecting LPS into trachea. Cell count and cytological classification in BALF were performed in experimental group and control group. The level of IL-8 in both serum and lung tissues of the two groups rats was measured by ELISA. Results The levels of IL-8 in both serum and lung tissues in the rats with chronic bronchitis were significantly higher than those in healthy control rats.The number of neutrophil in BALF of the rats with chronic bronchitis was significantly more than that in healthy control rats. Conclusion Both IL-8 and neutrophil were involved in airway inflammation of chronic bronchitis, and might play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic bronchitis.