Abstract:OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the airway and the effect of budesonide on their expression in rats with asthma. METHODS: Forty-five Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into three group: placebo control, untreated asthma, and budesonide-treated asthma. Asthma was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 10% ovalbumin (OVA) on days 1 and 8 and then challenged by inhalation of 1% OVA aerosol. The budesonide-treated asthma group received an inhalation of budesonide (1 mg) 30 minutes after OVA challenge. The pathological changes of the airway were assessed, and the expression of b-FGF and NF-κB in the airway was assayed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Budesonide treatment alleviated airway injuries. Compared with the control group, b-FGF and NF-κB expression in the airway in the untreated asthma group increased significantly (P<0.05). The budesonide-treated asthma group demonstrated significantly decreased b-FGF (111.61±5.52 vs 126.21±6.46; P<0.05) and NF-κB expression (110.65±8.71 vs 134.15±9.42; P<0.05) in the airway as compared with the untreated asthma group. B-FGF expression was positively correlated to NF-κB expression in the budesonide-treated group. CONCLUSIONS: b-FGF and NF-κB may be associated with airway remodeling in rats with asthma. Budesonide can improve airway remodeling, possibly by decreasing the expression of b-FGF and NF-κB.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (5):393-396］
