Effect of curcumin on the expression of IL-1β and IL-17 in a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Objective To explore the effect of curcumin on the expression of IL-1β and IL-17 in a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods Male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal control group, COPD model group, curcumin-treated group and solvent group.The rat model of COPD was induced by cigarette smoke exposure combined with intratracheal administration of lipopolysaccharide, and rats were treated according to the different groups.The numbers of total cells, neutrophil and macrophage in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were counted.Airway inflammation and emphysema were studied by HE staining of lung tissues sections.The concentration of IL-1β and IL-17 in serum and BALF was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the mRNA expression of IL-1β and IL-17 in lung tissues was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results Compared with the normal control group, the numbers of total cells, neutrophil and macrophage in BALF from rats in the COPD model were all significantly increased (P<0.05). The numbers of total cells, neutrophil and macrophage in BALF from rats in the curcumin-treated group were significantly lower than those in the COPD model group (P<0.05). Histopathological study showed numerous inflammatory cells infiltration around the small airway and alveolar space expansion in the rats from the COPD model group, and all these abnormalities were notably ameliorated by the treatment with curcumin.Compared with the normal control group, the concentration of IL-1β and IL-17 in serum and BALF in rats from the COPD model group was all significantly increased (P<0.05), and the mRNA expression of IL-1β and IL-17 in lung tissues in rats from the COPD model group was also significantly increased (P<0.05). And the alterations of IL-1β and IL-17 levels in COPD rats were all significantly down-regulated by the treatment with curcumin (P<0.05). Conclusions Curcumin reduces the pathogenesis of COPD partly by the inhibition of release of IL-1β and IL-17. Key words: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Interleukin-1β; Interleukin-17; Curcumin