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[Effects of dexamethasone on 15-lipoxygenase expression in lungs of asthmatic rats]
Li-Sha Ge1, Chang-Chong Li, Wei-Xi Zhang
1Department of Respiratory Diseases, Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China.
Objective:
15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) is a prooxidant enzyme which is expressed in asthmatic lungs leading to formation of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators. Gene expression profiling studies show the association between 15-LO and allergic asthma. This study was designed to observe the expression of 15-LO in lungs of asthmatic rats and examine the effects of dexamethasone on 15-lipoxygenase expression.
Methods:
Twenty-seven male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, asthma and dexamethasone (DXM) intervention. An asthma model was prepared by sensitization and challenging with ovalbumin. The production of 15-LO in lung tissue homogenates was measured using ELISA.The expression of 15-LO mRNA in lungs was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Results:
The levels of 15-LO mRNA and protein in the asthma group (0.51 ± 0.14 and 2080 ± 73 μg/mL, respectively) were lower than those in the control group (0.76 ± 0.15 and 2472 ± 106 μg/mL, respectively; P<0.01). DXM intervention increased significantly the levels of 15-LO mRNA and protein (1.02 ± 0.34 and 2562 ± 218 μg/mL) compared with the asthma group (P<0.01).
Conclusions:
The production of 15-LO in lung tissues is reduced in asthmatic rats. DXM can increase the expression of 15-LO in lung tissues and thus might provide anti-inflammatory effects in asthmatic rats.
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