Inflammatory responses of the rat lungs in cold-dryness syndrome in the northwest of China

OBJECTIVE]:To examine changes in body weight and the lung inflammation factors interleukin-1β (IL-3),interleukin-8 (IL-8),IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-c) in a rat model of cold-dryness syndrome in Northwest (Xinjiang) China to provide a reference for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with local peculiarities.METHODS]:The rat COPD model was established by intratracheal instillation of porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) in combination with cigarette smoking (CS).The rat model of cold-dryness syndrome of COPD in the northwest of China was set up by intratracheal instillation of PPE in combination with CS and environmental cold-dryness stress.The level of IL-3,IL-8,IL-10 and TNF-a in Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The data were analyzed using the software SPSS 11.5.RESULTS]:1) Body weight was less in the two model groups than that of control group(P＜0.01),PPE plus CS cold-dryness group was less than that of PPE plus CS group (P＜0.01).2) IL-13 in BALF significantly increased in PPE plus CS and cold-dryness group than that of control group (P＜0.01).3) IL-8and TNF-α in BALF significantly increased in PPE plus CS and cold-dryness group and PPE plus CS group than that of control group (,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION]:Body weight in COPD model rats was reduced compared with controls.Cold-dryness may aggravate such a condition Lung inflammation in the model was mainly manifested by an increase in IL-13,IL-8 and TNF-α levels,with no change in IL-10 levels.Cold-dryness may aggravate lung inflammation of COPD.