RESUMO
Objective To examine the effects of Shenqi Bufei Tang decoction on the expression of histone deacetylase-2 ( HDAC2) and nuclear factor-κB p65 ( NF-κB p65) in the airway smooth muscle tissues of COPD rats with lung-qi deficiency syndrome. Methods A total of 40 male rats were randomly divided into normal control group,model control group,Shenqi Bufei Tang decoction group,and aminophylline group.The COPD rat model with lung-qi deficiency syndrome was established by intra-tracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and passive smoking for 28 days.Pathological changes of lung tissues were ob-served under the light microscope and the thickness of the small airway wall and airway smooth muscle ( ASM) layer analyzed by the image analysis.Immunohistochemistry,real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expressions of NF-κB p65 and HDAC2 in ASM. Results The thickness of the airway wall and ASM,and the expression levels of NF-κB p65 mRNA and protein were significantly increased in the model control group when compared with those in the normal control group ( P0.05). Conclu-sion Shenqi Bufei Tang decoction can inhibit the proliferation of ASM in COPD rats with lung-qi deficiency syndrome,which may be associated with the increased expression of HDAC2 and decreased expression of NF-κB p65.