Effects of Gubenkeli capsule on matrix metallopeptidase 9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase1 levels in lung tissue of a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease* / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been preliminarily approved by clinical practices.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Gubenkeli capsule on the protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase1 (TIMP-1) in lung tissue of COPD model rats.METHODS: A total of 50 Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups with 10 rats in each group normal control, model, prednisone, Gubenkeli capsule-low dose, and Gubenkeli capsule-high dose. COPD rat models were established in all rats with the exception of the normal control rats by smoking and intratracheal instillation of LPS. At 29 days after COPD induction, rats from the prednisone, Gubenkeli capsule-low dose, Gubenkeli capsule-high dose groups were intragastrically administered prednisone (1.04 mg/kg per day), Gubenkeli capsule (0.4, 0.94 g/kg per day), once a day, to observer rat general conditions. Protein expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the lung tissue was detected by immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Protein expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the lung tissue of COPD rats was significantly increased (P < 0.05). After drug intervention, the general conditions of COPD rats were greatly improved, and protein expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the lung tissue was decreased. Prednisone yields the strongest effects, followed by high-dose Gubenkeli capsule and low-dose Gubenkeli capsule. These findings demonstrate that Gubenkeli capsule alleviates the clinical manifestations of COPD model rats, improve airway remodeling, and correct the imbalance between prolease and antiprotease in a dose-response manner.