Effects of Honghua on IL-33 and ST2 in skin and lung tissues of mice with systemic sclerosis
Objective:To observe the effects of Honghua on the expression levels of IL-33 and ST2 in skin and lung tissues of mice with bleomycin(BLM)-induced systemic sclerosis(SSc),and to explore the mechanism by which Honghua alleviates fibrosis in the skin and lung tissues of SSc mice.Methods:Thirty-two BALB/C mice were randomly divided into four groups:dexamethasone acetate group,Honghua decoction group,model group,and control group,with eight mice in each group.BLM was subcutaneously injected into the back of the mice to establish a mouse model of SSc at a dose of 0.1 ml per injection,once daily for 28 days.During the modeling period,the dexamethasone acetate group received 0.2 ml of a 0.45 g/ml dexamethasone acetate solution by oral gavage,once daily for 28 days.Honghua decoction group received 0.2 ml of a 0.15 g/ml Honghua Decoction by oral gavage,once daily for 28 days.The control and model groups received 0.2 ml of saline by oral gavage,once daily for 28 days.General survival status and skin hardening were observed during the treatment period.After 12 hours of fasting,the mice were euthanized with an overdose of 2%sodium pentobarbital and tissues were collected.Skin and lung tissue sections were stained with HE and Masson's trichrome.Skin inflammation was evaluated based on white blood cell counts in HE-stained slides,and skin fibrosis was assessed by collagen volume fraction(CVF)in Masson's trichrome-stained slides.Szapiel and Ashcroft scoring systems were used to evaluate lung inflammation and fibro-sis levels.Immunohistochemistry(IHC)was performed to detect the expression of IL-33 and ST2 in skin and lung tissues.Results:(1)Compared with the model group,Honghua decoction and dexamethasone acetate groups showed improved general conditions,including mental state,body weight,response level,hair regrowth in shaved areas,skin elasticity,and hardness.(2)The control group displayed normal morphology of skin and lung tissues with minor inflammation.The model group showed dense infiltration of inflammatory cells and excessive deposition of collagen fibers.Inflammation and collagen deposition were reduced in the Honghua decoction and dexamethasone acetate groups compared with the model group.The skin inflammation scores,CVF,and Ashcroft and Szapiel scores of the lung tissues were significantly higher in the model group than in the control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.01).These parameters were significantly lower in Honghua decoction and dexamethasone acetate groups compared with the model group,with statistically significant dif-ferences(P<0.01).(3)The expression levels of IL-33 and ST2 in skin and lung tissues were significantly higher in the model group than in the control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.01).The expression levels of IL-33 and ST2 were significantly decreased in Honghua decoction and dexamethasone acetate groups compared with the model group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.01).Conclusion:Honghua Decoction can inhibit immune inflammation and reduce fibrosis in the skin and lung tissues of BLM-induced SSc mice.This effect may be related to a significant decrease in the expression levels of IL-33 and ST2 in the skin and lung tissues of SSc mice.
SScHonghua Decoctioninterleukin-33tumourigenesis inhibitory protein 2experimental study
万方数据
维普
