title: [The effect of baicalein on bleomycin-induced fibrosis in lungs of rats].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the effect of baicalein (Bai-Chinese Traditional Medicine) on bleomycin (BLM)-induced fibrosis in lungs of rats and its possible mechanism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: BLM plus Bai group, BLM plus normal saline (NS) group, NS plus Bai group, and NS plus NS group. The rats were received single intratracheal instillation of BLM (5 mg kg(-1) bw) or equal volume of NS as control, and received intraperitoneal injection o f Bai (12.5 mg x kg(-1) bw) or the same volume of NS asvehicle for 28 d. The hydroxyproline content, the collagen area, the mRNA expression of Col I (alpha), and the myofibroblasts in lung were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The content of hydroxyproline, the percentage of collagen area, the mRNA expression of Col I (alpha), and the amount of myofibroblast were increased in lungs of rats on day 28 after intratracheal instillation of BLM, compared with that in lungs of the control rats, respectively( All P < 0.01). The above abnormal changes were ameliorated by Bai (12.5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) ip, x 28 d (All P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bai has anti-action on BLM-induced fibrosis in lung, and that the above action of Bai is related to the blockage of synthesis of type I collagen and the decrease of myofibroblast in lung.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Phannrmaceutical Science Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xiao-ling
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jian-hui
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001761:Bleomycin; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D044950:Flavanones / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D058628:Myofibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I; D044950:Flavanones; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D001761:Bleomycin; C006680:baicalein