[Macrophages and the expression of endothelin in sulphur dioxide induced bronchitis in rats]]

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of SO2 on bronchial mucosa in rats. Our interest was focused on macrophages function and expression of endothelin. 20 animals were used in the study; 5 of them constituted the control group, 15 of them were submitted to long term SO2 irritation. In animals exposed to SO2 the BALF evaluation revealed the increase of inflammatory cells concentration: neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes. Electron microscope examination demonstrated that macrophages from study group were activated in comparison with healthy rats. Immunoreactive endothelin was found in bronchial specimens and mainly in alveolar macrophages (we used a computer-assisted system of image analysis). The expression of endothelin was significantly increased in study group in comparison with control group.