The expression of γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase in the skeletal muscles of mice with emphysema and its significance

Abstract

Objective To study any change in the expression of γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS) in the skeletal muscles of mice with emphysema.Methods Twenty Kunming male mice were divided into a normal control group and an emphysema group (n =10 in each ).An emphysema model was established by passive cigarette smoking in 8 of the emphysema group mice.TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptotic skeletal muscle cells.Im munohistochemical assays were used to determine the protein level of γ-GCS synthetase.Results The average optical density of apoptotic cells was significantly higher in the skeletal muscles of the mice with emphysema compared with the normal controls,and their average γ-GCS synthetase levels were also significantly higher.Conclusions Apoptotic cells increase in skeletal muscle during emphysema,which may be caused by an oxidation/antioxidant imbalance mediated by γ-GCS synthetase. Key words: Emphysema; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; γ-Glutamylcysteine synthetase; Skeletal muscle