Biomedical Research

The study is aimed to investigate the effect of Qidan Granule and tetrandrine on the signal transduction pathway of TGF-β1 (Transforming Growth Factor-β1) for silicosis fibrosison in Wistar rats developed by dust injection. Silicon nodules are mainly of grade III-IV without any treatment, while those in Qidan Granule and tetrandrine groups were of grade II. Pulmonary coefficient and content of hydroxyproline in both Qidan groups and tetrandrine ones are lower, so are the expressions of TGFβ1 and Smad3 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and pulmonary tissue. Furthermore, expressions of Smad7 in treating groups are higher than those in the model group. Meanwhile, kidney injuries can be found in all rats of both tetrandrine groups, while not in those of other groups. It is clear that Both Qidan Granule and tetrandrine can inhibit expression of both Smad3 and TGF-β1 and promoting expression of Smad7. Qidan granules and Tetrandrine could inhibit remarkably silicotic fibrosis in rats. However, Qidan Granule is much safer without renal toxicity.

Author(s): Zhang H, Xu S, Wu Q, Wang W, Xin H
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