Effects of shenmai and aminophylline on apoptosis of small airway smooth muscle cells and the expression of relevant genes in rats with emphysema.

The effects of Shenmai injection (SMI) and aminophylline on apoptosis of small airway smooth muscle cells (SASMC) and the Fas/FasL expression in rats with papain-induced emphysema were investigated. Rat emphysema model was established by a single intratracheal instillation of papain. Apoptosis and Fas/FasL expression of SASMC were detected by immunohistochemistry SABC and TUNEL assay at day 1, 3, 5, 7, 15, 30 after modeling, and the effect of SMI and aminophylline on them were observed. The results indicated that the Fas/FasL expression positive rate in SASMC was 2.31 +/- 0.55/1.28 +/- 0.47 respectively. After a single intratracheal instillation of papain, the expression of Fas/FasL positive rate in the placebo group was increased in a time-dependent manner. SMI could inhibit the expression of Fas/FasL, but aminophylline couldn't. The positive rate of apoptosis in the control group was 0.87 +/- 0.32. After a single intratracheal instillation of papain, the SASMC apoptosis positive rate in the placebo group was increased in a time-dependent manner. The SASMC apoptosis rate in all groups was declined after treatment with SMI, but the effect of aminophylline was not obvious. It was demonstrated that in the pathogenesis of emphysema Fas/FasL played an important role in the regulation of SASMC apoptosis. SMI influenced the expression of Fas/FasL and declined SASMC apoptosis by inhibiting the releasing of inflammatory media and played an important role in the therapy of emphysema.