The
COPD model was established with an
elastase dose into the trachea combined with exposure to smoking; the
COPD model cold-dryness symptom pattern was further developed by exposure to a cold, dry environment. After 90 days, pathologic lung sections, inflammatory
cytokine levels (measured by
enzyme linked
immunosorbent assay),
mRNA and
protein expression of mucus-associated
proteins and
aquaporins (measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blots) were examined.
RESULTS:
Cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6),
interleukin-8 (IL-8), and
tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the
COPD and the cold-dryness symptom pattern
COPD groups were all significantly higher than in controls (each P < 0.01).
IL-6 and
IL-8 levels were higher in the cold-dryness symptom pattern
COPD group than in the
COPD group (each P < 0.05). The AQP5
mRNA expression in the cold-dryness symptom pattern
COPD and
COPD groups was lower than in the control group (P < 0.01), and that in the cold-dryness symptom pattern
COPD group was lower than the
COPD group (P < 0.05). The expression of MUC5AC and MUC5B mRNAs in the cold-dryness symptom pattern
COPD group and
COPD group was higher than in the control group (each P < 0.01), and that in the cold-dryness symptom pattern
COPD group was higher than the
COPD group (P < 0.01, and P < 0.05, respectively). The ratio of MUC5AC
mRNA/MUC5B
mRNA was
COPD group < the cold-dryness symptom pattern
COPD group < the control group. AQP4 and
AQP5 protein expression in the cold-dryness symptom pattern
COPD group was lower than that in the
COPD group which was lower again than in the control group. MUC5AC and MUC5B expression in the cold-dryness symptom pattern
COPD group was higher than in the
COPD group and higher again than in the control group.
CONCLUSION: