Effect of Sarcandra Glabra on Radiation-induced Lung Injury of Bama Minipigs

Abstract:

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Sarcandra glabra on radiation-induced lung injury of right thoracic irradiation of Bama minipigs. Method: Sixty miniature pigs were randomly divided into the control group, the radiotherapy group and the S. glabra group. The pigs except the control group received a single right thoracic irradiation under anesthesia. The pigs in the S. glabra group received S. glabra formula granule solution at 30 mg·kg^-1 one week before radiotherapy, and the pigs in other groups received the same volume of normal saline..Five pigs were randomly selected and sacrificed from the three groups at week 4, 8, 12 and 24 post-irradiation. The collagen deposition was measured by Masson's trichrome and hydroxyproline detection. The protein expressions of transforming growth factor β₁ (TGF-β₁), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 were detected by Western Blot. The activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were tested by Gelatin zymography. Result: At different weeks after irradiation, the protein expressions of TGF-β₁, MMP-2 and MMP-9, hydroxyproline content and gelatinase activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 increased in the radiotherapy group as compare to the control group (P <0.05). The protein expressions of TGF-β₁, MMP-2 and MMP-9, hydroxyproline content and gelatinase activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 decreased in the S. glabra group as compared with the radiotherapy group (P <0.05). Conclusion: S. glabra could slow down the development of radiation pulmonary fibrosis and have radiological protection by reducing the protein of TGF-β₁, MMP-2, MMP-9 and gelatinase activity.