[Effect of shenfu injection on the synthesis of pulmonary surfactant in cultured lung explants].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effect of shenfu injection on pulmonary surfactant synthesis.


METHODS
Lung explants of adult rats were cultured in free serum DMEM. [3H] choline incorporated into lung tissue was determined by liquid scintillation system. The contents of total phospholipid (TPL) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) in lung tissue were measured by inorganic phosphorus quantitative analysis and thin-layer chromatography, respectively.


RESULTS
Shenfu injection enhanced [3H] choline incorporation in a dose-dependent manner and increased the contents of TPL and PC as well as the ratio of PC/TPL. Both protein kinase C (PKC) antagonist H7 and calmodulin antagonist W7 inhibited the effects of Shenfu injection. The ginsenosides, ginsenoside Rb1, and ginsenoside Rg1 promoted the [3H] choline incorporation.


CONCLUSIONS
Shenfu injection can enhance the synthesis of pulmonary surfactant through pathways mediated by PKC and calmodulin. The ginsenoside is an effective component in Shenfu injection.
Luo
Zi-qiang
ZQ
Department of Physiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.
Feng
Dan-dan
DD
Yue
Shao-jie
SJ
D031841:Aconitum; D000818:Animals; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D005894:Panax; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000032:analysis; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000032:analysis; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D036145:Ginsenosides; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D010743:Phospholipids; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; C035054:ginsenoside Rg1