Abstract:Objective The formation of subepithelial fibrosis and increased deposition of types I and III collagen are important features of airway remodelling in asthma, while transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is the major regulative factor of airway remodelling. The study aims at exploring the effect of ligustrazine on the collagen deposition and the expression of TGF-β1 in the airway wall of asthmatic rats. Methods Forty SD rats were randomly assigned into 5 groups (n=8 each): a normal group (A), an asthma model group (B), a dexamethasone group (C), a low-dose ligustrazine group (D) and a high-dose ligustrazine group (E). The asthma model was established by repeated inhalation of oval bulium. Groups C, D and E were treated by injection of 0.5 mg dexamethason and 40 mg or 80 mg ligustraizine respectively before stimulation, while Group A was treated with normal saline instead. The levels of collagen and TGF-β1 expression in airway wall were semi-quantitatively measured by the immunohisto-chemistry technique. Results The levels of collagen type III and TGF-β1 expression were significantly higher in Group B than those in Group A (P< 0.01). In the Group C, Group D and Group E, the levels of collagen type III and TGF-β1 expression in airway wall were lower than those in Group B (P< 0.01), and there was no difference among Groups E, C and A (P> 0.05). The contents of collagen type I had no difference among all five groups. A close correlation between TGF-β1 expression and collagen type III content in various groups was found (r s= 0.7063, P< 0.01). Conclusions Ligustrazine may reduce the deposition of collagen type Ⅲ and inhibit the expression of TGF-β1.
