Yiqi Gubiao pill alleviates chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in rats via upregulation of klotho expression

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Yiqi Gubiao pill (YGP) on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in rats, and the mechanism of its action.Methods: Six groups of eight-week old male SPF-grade Wistar rats (n = 60) were used (10 rats/group), viz, control, COPD, low-dose YGP, medium-dose YGP, high-dose YGP, and dexamethasone groups. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was induced using a standard method. Graded doses of YGP were prepared by dissolving 100, 200 or 400 pills of Yiqi Gubiao. Lung damage and airway remodeling were determined by histological examination. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure levels of klotho in rat serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The mRNA and protein expressions of klotho in lung tissue were assayed with qRT-PCR) and Western blot assay, respectively.Results: Serum and BALF klotho levels were significantly lower in COPD rats than in control, but the levels were markedly and dose-dependently increased by YGP (p < 0.05). Treatment of COPD rats with YGP led to significant and dose-dependent upregulation of mRNA and protein expressions of klotho (p < 0.05). Moreover, histologic score (index of lung damage) increased in COPD rats, relative to control, but it was dose-dependently decreased by YGP (p < 0.05).Conclusion: These results suggest that YGP alleviates COPD in rats via the upregulation of klotho expression. However, the potential use of YGP for COPD still needs further clinical research.
 Keywords: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Klotho, Lungs, Protein expression, Yiqi Gubiao pill