[Expression of NF-kappaB and COX-2 mRNA in rats with phlegm obstruction due to lung-deficiency].
OBJECTIVE
To study the role of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) and cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the onset of phlegm obstruction due to lung-deficiency in rats and the therapeutic mechanism of Huatan Recipe.


METHODS
Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group and treatment group, with 8 rats in each group. The rats in the model group and treatment group were exposed to sulfur dioxide and cold wind to establish the rat model of phlegm obstruction due to lung-deficiency, and the rats in the treatment group were also treated with Huatan Recipe, a compound traditional Chinese medicine. The expression of NF-kappaB in the bronchial epithelial cells of the rats was tested with the method of immunohistochemistry, and the COX-2 mRNA in the lung tissues of the rats was measured by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
The expressions of NF-kappaB and COX-2 mRNA in rats of the model group were higher than those of the normal group (P<0.01), and the expressions of NF-kappaB and COX-2 mRNA in rats of the treatment group were obviously lower than those of the model group (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The NF-kappaB and COX-2 play an important role in the onset of phlegm obstruction in rats. Huatan Recipe may prevent the development of phlegm obstruction by down-regulating the expressions of NF-kappaB and COX-2 mRNA.
Wang
Ping
P
Department of Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hubei College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430061, China. pwang54@yahoo.com.cn
Wu
Xiu-Yan
XY
Zhang
Mao-Lin
ML
Tian
Dai-Zhi
DZ
Liu
Song-Lin
SL
D000818:Animals; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D019413:Qi; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016711:Yang Deficiency / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000201:enzymology*
D016328:NF-kappa B; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2