Effects of scoparone on the expression of PKC-αin asthmatic rats

Abstract

Objective To investigate the role of scoparone on the expression of protein kinase C-α(PKC-α) inovalbumin-challenged asthmatic rats. Exploring the possible mechanism of seoparone in the therapy of asthma. Methods Forty healthy male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, control group(group N), asthmatic group(group A), dexamethasene group(group D) and scoparone group(group S). The asthmatic model was established by ovalbumin(OVA) flint intraperitoneal injection and subsequendy challenged. Every time the group D and group S were intraperitoneally injected with dexamethasone or scoparonc before OVA inhalation. 4 weeks later, the rats were executed. The numbers of total leukoeytes and eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were counted by optical microscope. RT-PCR was employed to detect the mRNA of PKC-a in the lung tissue, And their protein expression were measured by immunohistochemistry. Results After 3 weeks' sensitized and 4 weeks' challenged, the changes of pulmonary function were accompanied with prolonged expiratory time and elevated expiratory pressure, compared with group N,increase were significantly in stactics (P<0.01). The numbers of total leukocytes and eosinophils in group D or group S were much lower than those in group A(P<0.01). levels of PKC-αmRNA and PKC-αprotein expression of group A were significandy increased compared with group N(P<0.01). There was no statistical difference between group D and group S. Conclusions Seoparone can significantly inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of PKC-αin pulmonary tissue, relieve airway inflammation in asthmatic rats. Therefore, scoparone might be of potential value in the therapy of asthma. Key words: Scoparone; Asthma; Protein kinase C-α