Abstract
Aims: To evaluate if a plant Kunitz proteinase inhibitor BbKI contributes to inactivation of elastase-induced inflammatory and extracellular matrix remodelling alterations. Methods: C57Bl6 mice received elastase intratracheal (50μl/animal group) or saline (Ve group). Afterwards, mice were treated with BbKI (2mg/kg) on days 1, 14, 21 after elastase instillation (I-E group) or saline instilation. On day 30 mice were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated. Afterwards, lungs were removed en bloc. By morphometry, we quantified the amount of neutrophils and positive cells for MMP-9, MMP-12 and MAC-2 in distal lung parenchyma. Results: In elastase group, there was a significant increase in neutrophils, MMP-9, MMP-12, TNF-α and MAC-2 compared to controls (p<0.05). The BbKI treatment of elastase group (I-E group) decreased the amount of neutrophils (8.35±0.26/104μm2), the amount of the positive cells for MMP-9 (10.82±0.75/104μm2), MMP-12 (13.21±0.53/104μm2), TNF-α (9.70.±0.35/104μm2) and for MAC-2 (12.62±0.51/104μm2) compared to E-group (p<0.05). Conclusions: This proteinase inhibitor (BbKI) reduced elastase-induced pulmonary inflammatory and extracellular matrix remodeling alterations induced by elastase. Although more studies need to be performed, this inhibitor may contribute as potential therapeutic tool for COPD management. Financial Support: FAPESP, CNPq, LIM-20-HC-FMUSP.
- © 2013 ERS