Expression of P38 MAPK and MMP-2 mRNA in neonatal rats with hyperoxia-induced lung injury

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To observe P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (P38 MAPK) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) mRNA expression level changes in neonatal rats with hyperoxia-induced lung injury,and to investigate the influence of P38 MAPK activation on MMP-2 mRNA expression. METHODS: Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups: air control, hyperoxia and SB203580-treated hyperoxia (n=12). The rats were sacrificed on the 3rd and 7th days and the lungs were removed. Hematoxylin-eosine staining was used to observe the pathological changes in lung tissues. RESULTS: Compared with the air and SB203580-treated groups, levels of P38 MAPK and MMP-2 mRNA significantly increased in the hyperoxia group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Expression of P38 MAPK increases in neonatal rats with hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury and this may play a role in control of the expression of MMP-2 mRNA.