A Study Of Infuence Of Heparin On Airway Inflammation In Rats With Asthma

Objective To investigate the infuence of heparin on airway inflammation in rats with asthma. Methods 24 rats were randomly divided into three groups: asthmatic group(8), therapeutic group(8) and normal group(8). Each rat of asthmatic group and therapeutic group was sensitized by five percent Ovalbumin. By fifteenth day. they were challenged by one percent Ovalbumin for a week, and before challenged, rats of therapeutic group inhaled aerosolised heparin, while rats of asthmatic group inhaled equal aerosolised sodium chloride injection (0.9%). Pulmonary function of each rat was measured by powerlab data recording and analysis system. The cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were counted and classified, and the pathologic change of airway was observed by light microscopic. Results 1.Compared with the normal group, PEF in asthmatic group was decreased, while IP Slope in both asthmatic group and therapeutic group increased, the differences being significant (P<0.001,0.001,0.01);compared with the asthmatic group, PEF in the therapeutic group was increased, while IP Slope in the same group decreased, the differences being significant (P<0.01,0.05). 2. The total cells and the percentages of macrophage, neutrophil, lymphocyte and eosinophil existed significant differences (P<0.01,0.05)in both asthmatic group and therapeutic group compared withthe normal group;while the total cells and the percentages of lymphocyte, eosinophil were decreased in therapeutic group compared with the asthmactic group (P<0.01, 0.05). 3. Effusion of inflammatory cells in airway cavity, infiltration of inflammatory cells in airway wall and bronchial smooth muscle hyperplasia in both asthmatic group and therapeutic group were more increasing than those in normal group, the differences being obvious (P<0.001,0.01);while effusion of inflammatory cells in airway cavity and infiltration of inflammatory cells in airway wall in therapeutic group were more decreasing than those in asthmatic group, the differences being obvious (P<0.001). Conclusion Inhale heparin can inhibit airway inflammatory response of rat in asthma, prevent or inhibit allergen-induced bronchoconstriction.