Résumé
Objective To investigate the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in airway inflammation and airway remodeling in asthmatic rats,and to explore the possible molecular mechanism of artesunate (ART) in the treatment of asthma.Methods Forty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into normal group,asthmatic group,dexamethasone group,low-dose artesunate group,middle-dose artesunate group and high-dose artesunate group.Asthmatic models were established by ovalbumin (OVA) challenge and aerosol inhalation,and were treated with drugs.The morphological changes of lung tissue,the white blood cell count and the white blood cell count of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were observed in each group.The bronchial wall thickness and smooth muscle thickness were measured by Image-Pro plus image analysis software.The expressions of β-catenin and WISP-1 in lung tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR respectively.The expression of IL-6 in serum and BALF was detected by ELISA.Results The artesunate group rats,airway inflammatory cells infiltration,the smooth muscle thickness,bronchial wall thickness were significantly lower than those in asthma group,and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.01).The expression of artesunate group β-catenin,WISP-1 protein and WISP-1 mRNA were significantly lower than those in asthma group,and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜0.01).The level of IL-6 in serum and BALF of artesunate group was significantly lower than that of asthmatic group (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion The possible mechanism of artesunate to improve airway inflammation and airway remodeling in asthmatic rats related to the inhibition of Wnt/ beta-catenin signaling pathway activity and down-regulation of IL-6 levels.
Résumé
Objective To investigate the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in airway inflammation and airway remodeling in asthmatic rats,and to explore the possible molecular mechanism of artesunate (ART) in the treatment of asthma.Methods Forty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into normal group,asthmatic group,dexamethasone group,low-dose artesunate group,middle-dose artesunate group and high-dose artesunate group.Asthmatic models were established by ovalbumin (OVA) challenge and aerosol inhalation,and were treated with drugs.The morphological changes of lung tissue,the white blood cell count and the white blood cell count of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were observed in each group.The bronchial wall thickness and smooth muscle thickness were measured by Image-Pro plus image analysis software.The expressions of β-catenin and WISP-1 in lung tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR respectively.The expression of IL-6 in serum and BALF was detected by ELISA.Results The artesunate group rats,airway inflammatory cells infiltration,the smooth muscle thickness,bronchial wall thickness were significantly lower than those in asthma group,and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.01).The expression of artesunate group β-catenin,WISP-1 protein and WISP-1 mRNA were significantly lower than those in asthma group,and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜0.01).The level of IL-6 in serum and BALF of artesunate group was significantly lower than that of asthmatic group (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion The possible mechanism of artesunate to improve airway inflammation and airway remodeling in asthmatic rats related to the inhibition of Wnt/ beta-catenin signaling pathway activity and down-regulation of IL-6 levels.