Effect Of Acupoint Catgut Embedding On Airway Remodeling And Inflammatory Factors Of Asthmatic Guinea Pigs

Objective:To explore the therapeutic mechanism of the catgut implantation at acupoints for bronchial asthma and to supply evidence for the expanding application of the Acupoint Catgut Embedding(ACE)in treating asthma, the effects of the ACE on airway ultra-structure,transforming growth factor-β₁(TGF-β₁),matrix metal-proteinase-9(MMP-9),interleukin-4 (IL-4),Tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in asthmatic guinea pigs with airway remodeling.Methods:Seventy healthy guinea pigs were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group(16),model control group(18),dexamethasone group (18)and ACE group(18),half male and half female.The model was established by sensitization with intraperitoneal injection of 10% ovalbumin(OVA)1ml in the first day and challenge with nebulized inhalation of 1%OVA solution in the 15th day,every other day for six weeks. The ACE group were treated by the therapy of Acupoint Catgut Embedding of FeiShu(BL13),DingChuan(EX-B1),ZuSanLi(ST36)and ChiZe(LU5)before challenge once every other week.After treatment,the pathological changes and morphometric analysis in bronchi and lung were observed under light microscope,the protein expressions of TGF-β₁,MMP-9 selected in bronchi and lung were detected by immunohistochemical method,and IL-4, TNF-αselected in blood were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results: (1)The pathological changes in model group were as follows:the epithelial cell of mucosa in bronchial wall damaged and lose obviously, the airway wall was incomplete,submucosal inflame obviously;Airway smooth muscle thickened,collagen fibers increased,lumen become narrow, mucus secretion increased and mucus plug obstructed intracavitary, around the airway eosinophils increased significantly;Diffuse chronic infiltration of inflammatory cells can been seen in alveoli of lung, alveolar basically become consolidation and full of inflammatory cells, pulmonary bullae formed,alveolar septum was obviously congestive.It was indicated that the model was established successfully.The pathological changes in dexamethasone group and ACE group were much relieved.(2)The results of morphometric analysis of bronchi and lung showed that the area of bronchial wall,the thickness of bronchial smooth muscle wall and thickness of bronchial wall in small airway of the model group was higher than those in the normal group(P＜0.01),and were decreased in dexamethasone group and ACE group as compared with the model group (P＜0.05).(3)The protein expressions of TGF-β₁ in bronchi and lung were higher in the model group than that in the normal group(P＜0.01),and were decreased in dexamethasone group and ACE group as compared with the model group,the difference being significant(P＜0.05).(4)The protein expressions of MMP-9 in bronchi and lung were higher in the model group than that in the normal group(P＜0.05),and that in dexamethasone group and ACE group compared with the model group showed the difference being insignificant(P＞0.05).(5)Comparing to the normal group,the level of IL-4 of serum in the model group increased obviously(P＜0.01).Comparing to the model group, the level of IL-4 of serum in dexamethasone group and ACE group decreased obviously(P＜0.05).There was no obviously defference between dexamethasone group and ACE group(P＞0.05).(6)Comparing to the normal group,the level of TNF-αof serum in the model group increased obviously(P＜0.01).Comparing to the model group, the level of TNF-αof serum in dexamethasone group and ACE group decreased obviously(P＜0.05).There was no obviously defference between dexamethasone group and ACE group(P＞0.05). Conclusions:(1)ACE therapy had a positive role in the prevention and treatment of airway wall pathological changes in the structure.This can inhibit the airway remodeling in progress.(2)ACE therapy can restrain the protein expression of TGF—β₁ in bronchi and lung.(3)ACE therapy had no significant effect on the protein expression of MMP-9 in bronchi and lung.(4)ACE therapy can decrease the level of IL-4,TNF-αof serum.According to the results,it indicated that the therapeutic mechanism of ACE therapy for airway remodeling was related to restrain the protein expression of TGF-β₁,decrease the level of serumal IL-4 and TNF-α,also repress eosinophilic inflammation and relieve the inflammatory destruction of airway wall.