慢病毒介导的siRNA沉默结肠癌HCT116细胞中Slug基因表达的影响

目的探讨慢病毒载体介导RNA干扰(RNA interference,RNAi)慢病毒载体在结肠癌HCT116细胞中的沉默效应。方法构建Slug基因特异性siRNA慢病毒载体,感染结肠癌HCT116细胞,设立空白对照组、阴性对照组及Slug siRNA三组,应用qRT-PRC和Western blot方法分别从基因和蛋白水平检测各组干扰质粒对Slug基因的干扰效果。结果转染Slug siRNA后,结肠癌HCT116细胞中Slug基因mRNA和蛋白表达明显受到抑制(P<0.05)。结论 Slug siRNA能明显沉默靶基因Slug的表达,并且可能成为潜在治疗肿瘤的新靶点。     

小分子干扰RNA抑制黏着斑激酶基因对子宫内膜癌细胞生物学特征的影响

目的 探讨小分子干扰RNA(small interference RNA,siRNA)抑制黏着斑激酶(focal adhesion kinase,FAK)基因对子宫内膜癌细胞生物学特征的影响。方法 培养人子宫内膜癌HEC-1A细胞,分为siRNA-FAK组、siRNA-阴性对照组和空白对照组,实时荧光定量PCR检测各组细胞中FAK基因表达,细胞增殖能力、迁移和侵袭能力检测分别采用MTT法和Transwell法,蛋白质印迹法(Western blot)检测各组细胞中FAK、磷酸肌醇3激酶(phosphoinositol 3 kinase,PI3K)、磷酸化-Akt(phosphorylate-Akt,p-Akt)、磷酸化-哺乳动物雷帕霉素(phosphorylation-mammalian rapamycin,p-mTOR)蛋白表达。结果 siRNA-FAK组细胞中FAK mRNA和蛋白相对表达量分别为(1.31±0.15)、(0.26±0.08),均低于siRNA-阴性对照组[(2.06±0.18)、(0.62±0.11)]和空白对照组[(2.11±0.20)、(0.64±0.13)],差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);siRNA-FAK组24 h、48 h、72 h、96 h时细胞吸光度A值均低于siRNA-阴性对照组和空白对照组,均差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);与siRNA-阴性对照组和空白对照组比较,siRNA-FAK组迁移细胞数和侵袭细胞数均降低,siRNA-FAK组细胞中FAK、PI3K、p-Akt、p-mTOR蛋白表达相对表达量均降低,而Akt和mTOR蛋白相对表达量均升高,均差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 沉默FAK基因表达可抑制HEC-1A细胞增殖、迁移及侵袭能力,可能与抑制PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号有关。     

丹皮酚诱导人食管癌Eca-109裸鼠移植瘤凋亡的机制探讨

目的通过观察用药后COX-2、Bcl-2和Survivin的变化,探讨丹皮酚(paeonol,Pae)诱导Eca-109食管癌裸鼠移植瘤凋亡的机制。方法体外培养食管癌Eca-109细胞,裸鼠皮下接种Eca-109细胞建立裸鼠移植瘤动物模型,36只荷瘤裸鼠随机分为6组,分别为模型对照组、Pae不同剂量组(25、50、100、200mg·kg-1)和阳性药对照组(cisplatin,CD-DP,5mg·kg-1)。治疗2wk后处死裸鼠,剥取瘤体称瘤重并计算抑瘤率。用末端脱氧核苷酸转移酶介导的dUTP缺口末端标记(TUNEL)法检测肿瘤细胞凋亡。免疫组化S-P法检测移植瘤组织COX-2、Bcl-2和Survivin的表达。结果Pae50、100和200mg·kg-1组和CDDP5mg·kg-1组均能明显抑制裸鼠皮下肿瘤的生长,抑瘤率分别为23·54%、27·91%、34·46%和58·71%,与模型组比较差异均有显著性(P<0·05orP<0·01)。TUNEL染色可发现棕褐色的凋亡细胞呈散在或片状分布,Pae各剂量组的凋亡指数(apoptosis index,AI)分别为(11·02±2·58)%、(19·80±2·77)%、(24·48±4·35)%和(27·13±4·39)%,与模型组(4·81±0·83)%比较,差异均有显著性(P<0·05orP<0·01)。免疫组化结果显示,Pae能明显抑制移植瘤组织COX-2、Bcl-2和Survivin的表达(P<0·05 or P<0·01)。结论Pae能抑制Eca-109食管癌裸鼠移植瘤生长、诱导凋亡而发挥抗肿瘤作用,其机制可能与下调COX-2的表达并抑制Bcl-2和Sur-vivin的表达有关。     

抑制血清应答因子表达影响转化生长因子β1介导的食管癌上皮细胞-间质转化的作用研究

目的研究血清应答因子( serum response factor,SRF)小干扰 RNA(small interference RNA,siRNA)影响转化生长因子 β1(transforming growth factor-β1,TGF-β1)介导的 Eca-109食管癌细胞发生上皮间质转化( epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT)的作用机制。方法体外培养 Eca-109食管癌细胞,实验分组为阴性对照 siRNA组、 TGF-β1+阴性对照 siRNA组、 TGF-β1+SRF- siRNA组。划痕实验检测细胞迁移能力;免疫细胞化学染色法检测 E-钙黏蛋白( E-cadherin)的表达;蛋白质印迹法检测 E-钙黏蛋白、 SRF、N-钙黏蛋白( N-cadherin)、 α-平滑肌肌动蛋白( α-smooth muscle actin,α-SMA)蛋白的表达。结果与阴性对照 siR- NA组细胞迁移百分比( 10.00±2.00)%相比较, TGF-β1+阴性对照 siRNA组细胞迁移百分比为( 50.67±4.73)%,迁移能力增强;与 TGF-β1+阴性对照 siRNA组相比较, TGF-β1+SRF-siRNA组细胞迁移百分比为(29.00±3.00)%,迁移能力下降,均差异有统计学意义( P＜0.001)。与阴性对照 siRNA组的 E-钙黏蛋白( 1.07±0.12)、 N-钙黏蛋白( 0.28±0.25)、 SRF(0.25±0.06)、 α-SMA(1.19±0.37)蛋白相比较, TGF-β1+阴性对照 siRNA组 E-钙黏蛋白( 0.45±0.06)表达下调,而 N-钙黏蛋白( 3.27±0.67)、 SRF(2.48±0.05)、 α-SMA(4.23±0.53)蛋白表达上调(均 P＜0.001);与 TGF-β1+阴性对照 siRNA组相比较, TGF-β1+SRF-siRNA组 E-钙黏蛋白(0.82±0.05)表达上调, N-钙黏蛋白( 1.31±0.13)、 SRF(1.46±0.16)、 α-SMA(2.60±0.28)蛋白表达下调(均 P＜0.001)。结论基因沉默 SRF能够抑制 TGF-β1介导的食管癌细胞发生 EMT。     

长链非编码 RNA人类白细胞抗原复合体 18通过微 RNA-497-5p/细胞周期蛋白 E1轴调节弥漫性大 B细胞淋巴瘤的增殖、凋亡和侵袭

目的探讨长链非编码 RNA人类白细胞抗原复合体 18(lncRNA HCG18)调控微 RNA-497-5p(miR-497-5p)/细胞周期蛋白 E1(CCNE1)轴对弥漫性大 B细胞淋巴瘤( DLBCL)细胞增殖、凋亡和侵袭的影响。方法实时荧光定量 PCR(qRT-PCR)、蛋白质印迹法分别检测 2018年 5月至 2021年 5月收集的恩施土家族苗族自治州中心医院 DLBCL病人淋巴组织、良性淋巴结增生病人的淋巴组织、人正常 B细胞永生化细胞 HMy2.CIR、DLBCL细胞系 SU-DHL-1、OCI-LY8、U2932中 HCG18、miR-497-5p表达及 CCNE1蛋白表达,将 OCI-LY8细胞分为 Ct组(正常培养的 OCI-LY8细胞)、 pcDNA组(细胞转染过表达物阴性对照)、 pcD? NA-HCG18组(细胞转染 HCG18过表达物)、 si-NC组(细胞转染小干扰 RNA阴性对照)、 si-HCG18组(细胞转染 HCG18小干扰 RNA)、 si-HCG18+inhibitorNC组(细胞转染 HCG18小干扰 RNA和抑制物阴性对照)、 si-HCG18+miR-497-5p inhibitor组(细胞转染 HCG18小干扰 RNA和 miR-497-5p抑制物),CCK-8法检测细胞增殖,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡, Transwell检测细胞侵袭,蛋白质印迹法检测 CCNE1、增殖细胞核抗原( PCNA)、 Bcl-2相关 X蛋白( Bax)、基质金属蛋白酶 9(MMP-9)蛋白表达,双萤光素酶验证 HCG18与 miR-497-5p、miR-497-5p与 CCNE1的关系。结果在 DLBCL淋巴组织和细胞中, HCG18、CCNE1蛋白高表达, miR-497-5p低表达,且在 OCI-LY8细胞中 HCG18、CCNE1蛋白表达上调最高, miR-497-5p表达下调最多( P<0.05)因此,以 OCI-LY8细胞进行后续研究,与 si-NC组比较, si-HCG18组 HCG18(0.26±0.03比 1.01±0.01)、 CCNE1蛋白( 0.45±0.03比,1.44±0.19)表达降低, miR-497-5p(1.95±0.14比 1.03±0.02)表达升高( P<0.05)与 pcDNA组比较, pcDNA-HCG18组 HCG18(1.96±0.23比 1.02±0.01)、 CCNE1蛋白( 2.33±0.21比 1.42±0.18)表达升高, miR-497-5,p(0.28±0.02比 1.02±0.02)表达降低( P<0.05),与 siHCG18组、 si-HCG18+inhibitor NC组比较, miR-497-5p表达降低( 1.21±0.09比 1.95±0.14、1.94±0.13)CCNE1蛋白( 0.87±0.08比0.45±0.03、0.44±0.04)表达上调( P<0.05)沉默 HCG18可抑制 OCI-LY8细胞增殖、侵袭行为及 PCNAMP-9蛋白表达,诱导细胞凋亡及 Bax蛋白表达,而上调 HCG18相反趋势,下调 miR-497-5p逆转了沉默 HCG18对 OCI-LY8细胞增殖、侵袭、凋亡的影响, HCG18靶向调控 miR-497-5p/CCNE1。结论沉默 HCG18可能通过调控 miR-497-5p/CCNE1抑制 OCI-LY8细胞增殖、侵袭,诱导细胞凋亡。     

丹皮酚体内外抗人食管癌Eca-109细胞增殖及诱导凋亡的作用

目的研究丹皮酚(paeonol,Pae)在体内外对人食管癌细胞Eca-109的抑瘤作用及其对细胞凋亡的影响。方法采用噻唑蓝(MTT)体外试验法和灌胃给药体内抗肿瘤试验。光镜及电镜观察各组的肿瘤组织的形态学变化。应用末端脱氧核苷酸转移酶介导的缺口末端标记(TUNEL)法测定细胞凋亡指数。结果丹皮酚在体外对Eca-109细胞有明显的细胞毒作用,半数抑制浓度(IC50)为0.342mmol·L-1;体内灌胃给予丹皮酚25、50、100和200mg·kg-1对裸鼠移植人食管癌Eca-109的抑制率分别为10.67%、23.54%、27.91%和34.46%;顺铂5mg·kg-1组抑瘤率为58.71%;丹皮酚在100mg·kg-1剂量下与顺铂5mg·kg-1联合用药抑制率为77.91%。光镜下用药组可见较多凋亡的肿瘤细胞。透射电镜下可见肿瘤细胞核染色质浓缩边聚、胞质浓缩、核碎裂以及凋亡小体形成等典型的凋亡表现。用药组凋亡指数较对照组明显增加。结论丹皮酚在体内外具有抑制人食管癌Eca-109细胞增殖及诱导其凋亡作用。     

DEAD?box解螺旋酶 46基因沉默对乳腺癌细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的分析短发夹 RNA(shRNA)介导 DEAD?box解螺旋酶 46(DDX46)基因沉默对乳腺癌细胞增殖和凋亡的影响。方法采用实时荧光定量逆转录 PCR(RT?qPCR)和蛋白质印迹法(Western Blot)测定人正常乳腺上皮细胞系和乳腺癌细胞系中 DDX46表达差异。以慢病毒介导的 shRNA敲低乳腺癌 SK?BR?3细胞中 DDX46的表达，实验分为空白对照组、阴性对照组和 sh?DDX46组。 RT?qPCR检测各组细胞 DDX46 mRNA的表达水平，蛋白质印迹法检测 DDX46蛋白和凋亡相关蛋白的表达水平，克隆形成和四甲基偶氮唑盐微量酶反应比色法(MTT法)检测细胞生长增殖，流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡。结果 DDX46 mRNA在各乳腺癌细胞系中的表达量均高于正常乳腺上皮细胞(P＜0.05)。 sh?DDX46组细胞 DDX46 mRAN和蛋白表达水平均明显低于空白对照组和阴性对照组(P＜0.05)。 sh?DDX46组的细胞生长增殖能力明显低于两对照组(P＜0.05)。空白对照组、阴性对照组和 sh?DDX46组 SK?BR?3细胞凋亡率分别为(4.21±1.65)%、(5.36±1.23)%和(10.21±2.39)%，与空白对照组和阴性对照组相比， sh?DDX46组 SK?BR?3细胞凋亡率明显增加(P＝0.007；P＝0.016)。沉默 DDX46后凋亡通路蛋白 B细胞淋巴瘤 /白血病 ?2(Bcl?2)的表达量明显降低(P＜0.05)Bcl?2相关 X蛋白(Bax)和半胱氨酸蛋白酶 ?3剪切体(cleaved Caspase?3)表达明显增高(P＜0.05)。结论 DDX46在乳腺癌中高表达，沉默 DDX46基因能够抑制乳腺癌细胞增殖并促进凋亡，凋亡信号细胞，通路可能是其作用机制之一。     

结肠癌转移相关基因1在食管癌细胞中的作用

目的 探讨结肠癌转移相关基因1 (MACC1)在食管癌细胞株Eca-109中的作用及其可能机制.方法 体外培养Eca-109细胞,并分为MACC1 shRNA转染重组质粒组(A组)、转染空质粒阴性对照组(B组)和Eca-109细胞空白组(C组).采用RT-PCR和Western blot法分别检测MACC1、c-MET mRNA和蛋白表达,Transwell和划痕实验分别观察转染前后Eca-109细胞侵袭和迁移能力的变化.结果 与B、C组相比,A组MACC1、c-MET mRNA和蛋白表达下调,Eca-109细胞侵袭和迁移能力降低(P＜0.05).结论 下调MACC1表达能明显抑制食管癌细胞的侵袭和转移能力,可能是通过调节下游基因c-MET表达实现的.     

慢病毒介导的PRL-3 shRNA对结肠癌细胞增殖、侵袭、凋亡的影响

目的 观察慢病毒介导的 shRNA 沉默肝再生磷酸酶-3（PRL-3）基因对结肠癌 SW480 细胞增殖、侵袭、凋亡的影响。方法 实验分组为空白对照组、阴性对照组、转染组。将携带 PRL-3 shRNA 的慢病毒载体转染结肠癌SW480 细胞,建立稳定沉默 PRL-3 的细胞株,real-time PCR 检测转染后 PRL-3 mRNA 的相对表达水平。采用 MTT法、平板克隆形成实验检测转染后细胞增殖能力;采用 Transwell 侵袭实验、侵袭小室法检测转染后细胞迁移及侵袭能力;采用流式细胞术检测转染后细胞凋亡率变化。结果 稳定沉默 PRL-3 的细胞株构建成功,转染组 PRL-3mRNA 的相对表达水平低于空白对照组、阴性对照组（P＜0.05）,空白对照组、阴性对照组比较差异无统计学意义。PRL-3 shRNA 转染 SW480 细胞 72 h 后,转染组与空白对照组、阴性对照组比较,细胞增殖能力受到抑制,转染 120 h时最明显（P＜0.05）。转染组克隆形成能力较空白对照组、阴性对照组下降（P＜0.05）。转染组与空白对照组、阴性对照组比较,细胞迁移、侵袭能力下降,凋亡率增加（P＜0.05）。结论 结肠癌 SW480 细胞转染 PRL-3 shRNA 可减少 PRL-3 的表达,有效抑制 SW480 细胞增殖,促进其凋亡,PRL-3 可能成为治疗结肠癌的靶基因。     

靶向Survivin基因siRNA诱导肝癌细胞凋亡的实验

目的探讨靶向survivin的siRNA转染肝癌细胞阻抑survivin表达,及其对肝癌细胞凋亡、增殖与细胞化疗敏感性的影响。方法设计合成特异性靶向survivin的siRNA序列。肝癌细胞株HepG2接种于6孔培养板内,分为5组:空白对照组、阴性对照组和低、中、高浓度转染组(分别给予50,100和200nmol.L-1siRNA转染)。作用36h后收集各组细胞。Westernblot法检测各组细胞survivin蛋白表达情况,逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测survivinmRNA表达水平,流式细胞术检测各组细胞增殖和凋亡指数,四氮唑盐(MTT)法检测氟尿嘧啶(5-FU)和顺铂(DDP)对各组细胞的生长抑制率。结果各浓度siRNA转染组细胞survivin蛋白和mRNA表达有不同程度减弱。各浓度siRNA转染组细胞凋亡指数明显高于对照组(P<0.05),高浓度转染组最明显(P<0.05)。各浓度siRNA转染组细胞增殖指数明显低于各对照组(P<0.05),高浓度转染组最明显(P<0.05)。等浓度化疗药物5-FU和DDP对各浓度siRNA转染组细胞的抑制率明显高于对照组(P<0.05),高浓度转染组最明显(P<0.05)。结论不同浓度survivinsiRNA转染能下调survivin蛋白和mRNA表达,诱导肝癌细胞凋亡,抑制细胞增殖,增加肝癌细胞对化疗药物的敏感性。     

Synthesis,Cytotoxicity and Antileishmanial Activity of Some N-(2-(indol-3-yl)ethyl)-7-chloroquinolin-4-amines

We report herein the condensation of 4,7-dichloroquinoline (1) with tryptamine (2) and D-tryptophan methyl ester (3) . Hydrolysis of the methyl ester adduct (5) yielded the free acid (6) . The compounds were evaluated in vitro for activity against four different species of Leishmania promastigote forms and for cytotoxic activity against Kb and Vero cells. Compound (5) showed good activity against the Leishmania species tested, while all three compounds displayed moderate activity in both Kb and Vero cells.     

Nachweis einiger Heilmittel in der Kniegelenksynovialflüssigkeit

Zusammenfassung Mittels Gaschromatographie und Dünschichtchromatographie wiesen die Autoren 11 Substanzen nach, welche durch Injektion oder nach Verabreichung per os in die Kniegelenksynovialflüssigkeit eindrangen. In ihrer Aufstellung konnten sie eine direkte Beziehung zwischen Struktur sowie chemischphysikalischen Eigenschaften der Substanz und ihrer Fähigkeit, aus dem Blut in die Kniegelenksynovialflüssigkeit einzudringen, nicht nachweisen, außer der Tatsache, daß Substanzen mit starker Affinität zu Eiweißstoffen erst in höheren Dosen nachweisbar waren.     

Lung disease and PKCs

The lung offers a rich opportunity for development of therapeutic strategies focused on isozymes of protein kinase C (PKCs). PKCs are important in many cellular responses in the lung, and existing therapies for pulmonary disorders are inadequate. The lung poses unique challenges as it interfaces with air and blood, contains a pulmonary and systemic circulation, and consists of many cell types. Key structures are bronchial and pulmonary vessels, branching airways, and distal air sacs defined by alveolar walls containing capillaries and interstitial space. The cellular composition of each vessel, airway, and alveolar wall is heterogeneous. Injurious environmental stimuli signal through PKCs and cause a variety of disorders. Edema formation and pulmonary hypertension (PHTN) result from derangements in endothelial, smooth muscle (SM), and/or adventitial fibroblast cell phenotype. Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer are characterized by distinctive pathological changes in airway epithelial, SM, and mucous-generating cells. Acute and chronic pneumonitis and fibrosis occur in the alveolar space and interstitium with type 2 pneumocytes and interstitial fibroblasts/myofibroblasts playing a prominent role. At each site, inflammatory, immune, and vascular progenitor cells contribute to the injury and repair process. Many strategies have been used to investigate PKCs in lung injury. Isolated organ preparations and whole animal studies are powerful approaches especially when genetically engineered mice are used. More analysis of PKC isozymes in normal and diseased human lung tissue and cells is needed to complement this work. Since opposing or counter-regulatory effects of selected PKCs in the same cell or tissue have been found, it may be desirable to target more than one PKC isozyme and potentially in different directions. Because multiple signaling pathways contribute to the key cellular responses important in lung biology, therapeutic strategies targeting PKCs may be more effective if combined with inhibitors of other pathways for additive or synergistic effect. Mechanisms that regulate PKC activity, including phosphorylation and interaction with isozyme-specific binding proteins, are also potential therapeutic targets. Key isotypes of PKC involved in lung pathophysiology are summarized and current and evolving therapeutic approaches to target them are identified.     

Gender-related symptoms and correlates of alcohol dependence among men and women with a lifetime diagnosis of alcohol use disorders

This study explored gender-related symptoms and correlates of alcohol dependence in a crosssectional study of 150 men and 150 women with a lifetime diagnosis of alcohol use disorders (AUD). Participants were recruited in equal numbers from treatment settings, correctional centres and the general community. Standardized measures were used to determine participants' use of substances, history of psychiatric disorders and psychosocial stress, their sensation seeking and family history of substance use and mental health disorders. Multivariate analyses were used to detect patterns of variables associated with gender and the lifetime severity of AUD. Men had a longer history of severe AUD than women. Women had similar levels of alcohol dependence and medical and psychological sequelae as men, despite 6 fewer years of AUD. More women than men had a history of severe psychosocial stress, severe dependence on other substances and antecedent mental health problems, especially mood and anxiety disorders. There were differences in family history of alcohol-related problems approximating same-gender aggregation. The severity of a lifetime AUD was predicted by its earlier age at onset and the occurrence of other disorders, especially anxiety, among both men and women. The limitations in the generalizability of these findings due to sample idiosyncrasies are discussed.     

Biochemical and molecular characterisation of cubozoan protein toxins

Class Cubozoa includes several species of box jellyfish that are harmful to humans. The venoms of box jellyfish are stored and discharged by nematocysts and contain a variety of bioactive proteins that are cytolytic, cytotoxic, inflammatory or lethal. Although cubozoan venoms generally share similar biological activities, the diverse range and severity of effects caused by different species indicate that their venoms vary in protein composition, activity and potency. To date, few individual venom proteins have been thoroughly characterised, however, accumulating evidence suggests that cubozoan jellyfish produce at least one group of homologous bioactive proteins that are labile, basic, haemolytic and similar in molecular mass (42-46 kDa). The novel box jellyfish toxins are also potentially lethal and the cause of cutaneous pain, inflammation and necrosis, similar to that observed in envenomed humans. Secondary structure analysis and remote protein homology predictions suggest that the box jellyfish toxins may act as α-pore-forming toxins. However, more research is required to elucidate their structures and investigate their mechanism(s) of action. The biological, biochemical and molecular characteristics of cubozoan venoms and their bioactive protein components are reviewed, with particular focus on cubozoan cytolysins and the newly emerging family of box jellyfish toxins.     

Dose tolerability of chronically inhaled voriconazole solution in rodents

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a fungal disease of the lung associated with high mortality rates in immunosuppressed patients despite treatment. Targeted drug delivery of aqueous voriconazole solutions has been shown in previous studies to produce high tissue and plasma drug concentrations as well as improved survival in a murine model of IPA. In the present study, rats were exposed to 20 min nebulizations of normal saline (control group) or aerosolized aqueous solutions of voriconazole at 15.625 mg (low dose group) or 31.25 mg (high dose group). Peak voriconazole concentrations in rat lung tissue and plasma after 3 days of twice daily dosing in the high dose group were 0.85 ± 0.63 μg/g wet lung weight and 0.58 ± 0.30 μg/mL, with low dose group lung and plasma concentrations of 0.38 ± 0.01 μg/g wet lung weight and 0.09 ± 0.06 μg/mL, respectively. Trough plasma concentrations were low but demonstrated some drug accumulation over 21 days of inhaled voriconazole administered twice daily. Following multiple inhaled doses, statistically significant but clinically irrelevant abnormalities in laboratory values were observed. Histopathology also revealed an increase in the number of alveolar macrophages but without inflammation or ulceration of the airway, interstitial changes, or edema. Inhaled voriconazole was well tolerated in a rat model of drug inhalation.