title: Total polysaccharide of Yupingfeng protects against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis via inhibiting transforming growth factor-β1-mediated type I collagen abnormal deposition in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was to explore the antifibrotic effect and the possible mechanism of total polysaccharides of Yupingfeng (YPF-P) on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pulmonary fibrosis was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by BLM (5 mg/kg), killed 14 and 28 days after BLM administration by abdominal aorta exsanguination and removed the lungs. Lung coefficient was counted at the same time. Besides, H&E and Masson's trichrome staining for histopathological changes of lung tissues were observed. Additionally, western blotting and immunohistochemical staining techniques were used to detect expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), type I collagen (Col-I) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Finally, the levels of Col-I and hydroxyproline (HYP) in lung tissues were also utilized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  YPF-P alleviated the increase of lung coefficient induced by BLM instillation in pulmonary fibrosis rat, pathologic changes and collagen distribution were obviously ameliorated, while the increase of α-SMA-positive cells and TGF-β1 expression was prevented after YPF-P treatment. Moreover, the contents of HYP and Col-I were decreased in YPF-P group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  YPF-P had antifibrotic effect in experiment, which may reduce the synthesis and promote the deposition of Col-I via suppressing the increase of TGF-β1-mediated activation of myofibroblasts.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China; Third-Grade Pharmaceutical Chemistry Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM-2009-202), Pharmaceutical Preparation Section, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Liu-cheng
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Lian-wen
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Guang-he
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Fei
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D001761:Bleomycin; D024042:Collagen Type I; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D006909:Hydroxyproline; D011134:Polysaccharides; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; C498862:Acta2 protein, rat; C532967:yupingfeng
keywords: Yupingfeng polysaccharide; pulmonary fibrosis; transforming growth factor-β1; type I collagen; α-smooth muscle actin