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Ameliorating effect of erythromycin on bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis: Role of alveolar macrophage activation and cytokine release
Author(s) -
CHEN Baiyn,
JIANG L,
ZHAO W,
YU R,
HOU XM
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
respirology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1440-1843
pISSN - 1323-7799
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1843.1997.tb00071.x
Subject(s) - medicine , bronchoalveolar lavage , bleomycin , pulmonary fibrosis , hydroxyproline , tumor necrosis factor alpha , cytokine , lung , platelet derived growth factor receptor , alveolar macrophage , fibrosis , platelet derived growth factor , immunology , growth factor , endocrinology , pharmacology , macrophage , chemotherapy , receptor , in vitro , chemistry , biochemistry
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of erythromycin (EM) on bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats and its possible mechanisms. Seventy‐five rats were divided into three groups. Alveolar macrophages (AM) were harvested through bronchalveolar lavage (BAL) and consecutive changes of tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) in AM supernatant and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were assayed with ELISA and bioassay, respectively. The AM‐derived TNF‐α was elevated on day 3, peaked day 7 and then decreased but remained at higher level until day 28. The AM‐derived PDGF was increased on day 3, peaked on day 7 then decreased to non‐statistically significant higher level. The TNF‐α in BALF was increased significantly on day 3 then decreased to normal level; the peak preceded that of AM‐derived TNF‐α. The PDGF in BALF was increased on day 3, peaked on day 7, and then decreased to normal, which exhibited a consecutive change similar to that of AM‐derived PDGF. The EM significantly suppressed TNF‐α and PDGF release by AM, markedly decreased TNF‐α and PDGF levels in BALF. The EM also lessened the collagen deposition, the lung hydroxyproline comprised 75.44%, 72.72% and 56.24% that of bleomycin‐treated group on day 7, 14 and 28, respectively. In conclusion, EM can ameliorate bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis possibly through suppression of TNF‐α and PDGF as well as the inhibition on accumulation of inflammatory cells in the lung.