Effect Of Shugan Lifei Prescription On Expression Of Corticosterone And TGF-β1/Smad3 In Asthma Rats Under Chronic Stress Condition

Objective: To explore the effect of Shugan Lifei prescription on expression of Transforming Growth Factor-beta1(TGF-β1), Smad3 and corticosterone in asthma rats under chronic stress condition. Method: The SD rats were randomly divided into four groups, control group, model group, dexamethasone group, Shugan Lifei group. Asthma model was established by inhaling atomized ovalbumin( OVA) passively and experiencing chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS). From the 15 th day of modeling, the treatment groups were intervened with dexamethasone drugs and Shugan Lifei prescription. measure the concentration of corticosterone in serum of asthmatic rat by ELISA, Lung pathomorphology was observed via HE staining. The expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad3 in lung tissue were measured by immunohistochemical and RT-PCR.Result: Measure the corticosterone by ELISA, The expression of corticosterone in model group is detected significantly higher than control group(P<0.05), while the dexamethasone group and Shugan Lifei group had significantly lower than model group. Compared with control group, the Wall area and the Smooth muscle area in the model group were significantly increased, while compared with asthmatic model group, the dexamethasone group and Shugan Lifei group had significantly lower. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR showed that in comparision with control group, the expression of TGF-β1/Smad3 protein and mRNA in lung tissues in the model group were significantly increased(P<0.05), while the TGF-β1/Smad3 protein and mRNA in lung tissues in the dexamethasone group and Shugan Lifei group were detected significantly lower than model group(P<0.05).Conclusion: Shugan Lifei method could improve airway remodeling in asthma rats under chronic stress condition, and this result is possibly achieved by reducing corticosterone,TGF-β1 and Smad3 expression levels.