ABSTRACT
Objective The experiment was designed to observe the effect of inhaled arsenic trioxide(As2O3)and in combination with inhaled moxa leaf oil on eosinophils(EOS)and lung tissue's morphology in asthmatic guinea pigs, and to explore its mechanism of relieving wheezing. Methods The ovalbumin(OVA)-induced asthmatic guinea pig model was established. Sixty guinea pigs were randomly divided into As2O3 atomization inhalation group B1 As2O3 low dose group:2.0 mg/(kg·d), B2 As2O3 high dose group:4.0 mg/(kg·d), combined treatment group C1 low dose group:2.0 mg/(kg·d)+moxa leaf oil 0.05 ml, C2 high dose group: 4.0 mg/(kg·d)+moxa leaf oil 0.10 ml, saline aerosol inhalation group(group A) asthma model group)and normal control group(group D)according to random permutation table method. After 7 days medicated, the EOS in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)were compared. Guinea pig lung, heart, liver and kidney pathological specimens were prepared and the change of the lung tissue's inflammation and heart, liver and kidney tissue were investigated. Lung tissue’s electron microscopy specimens were prepared and the apoptosis of acidophilic cells and repair of alveolar epithelial cells were observed. Results Compared with asthma model group's EOS number[(58.08±19.01)×105], the difference in As2O3 low dose group、As2O3 high dose group、combined treatment low dose group、combined treatment high dose group and normal control group[(26.37±1.12)×105, (11.50±1.61)×105, (14.16±4.88)×105, (5.03±1.66)×105 and(0.35±0.16)×105, respectively] were statistically significant(P<0.01); there was statistical difference between As2O3 low dose group and As2O3 high dose group(P<0.01);There was statistical difference between As2O3 low dose group and combined treatment low dose group(P<0.01);There was statistical difference between As2O3 high dose group and combined treatment high dose group(P<0.05). Compared with combined treatment high dose group, difference in As2O3 low dose group、As2O3 high dose group and combined treatment low dose group was statistically significant(P<0.05). The difference in B1, B2, C1, C2 and D group was statistically significant compared with group A (P<0.01). The difference in B1 and B2, B1 and C1 group was statistically significant (P<0.01). The difference between B2 and C2 group was statistically significant(P<0.05). The difference in C2 group was statistically significant compared with group B1, B2 and C1(P<0.05). Conclusion EOS abnormal apoptosis was an important pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. The mechanism of arsenic trioxide anti-asthma was that arsenic trioxide could reduce acidophil infiltration and promote acidophilic cell apoptosis. The mechanism of moxa leaf oil anti-asthma was it could reduce acidophil infiltration. Smaller doses of the combination of inhaled As2O3 and moxa leaf oil was safe and effective to achieve the effect of relieving wheezing and the combined use had synergy.