Brief Article
Copyright ©2010 Baishideng. All rights reserved
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 14, 2010; 16(6): 749-754
Published online Feb 14, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i6.749
Effects of in vitro cultivated Calculus Bovis compound on pulmonary lesions in rabbits with schistosomiasis
Tao Li, Zhen Yang, Hong-Jiao Cai, Li-Wei Song, Ke-Yu Lu, Zheng Zhou, Zai-De Wu
Tao Li, Li-Wei Song, Ke-Yu Lu, Zheng Zhou, Department of General Surgery and Oncology, China Mei Tan General Hospital, Beijing 100028, China
Zhen Yang, Hong-Jiao Cai, Zai-De Wu, Department of General Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
Author contributions: Li T designed and performed the research and wrote the paper; Yang Z, Cai HJ and Wu ZD performed the clinical and pathological studies and data acquisition; Song LW, Lu KY and Zhou Z analyzed the data.
Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. A30170920
Correspondence to: Tao Li, MD, Department of General Surgery and Oncology, China Mei Tan General Hospital, Beijing 100028, China. litaoforgood2009@tom.com
Telephone: +86-10-88680627 Fax: +86-10-62560298
Received: September 29, 2009
Revised: December 16, 2009
Accepted: December 23, 2009
Published online: February 14, 2010
Abstract

AIM: To explore the interventional effects and mechanism of in vitro cultivated Calculus Bovis compound preparation (ICCBco) on pulmonary lesions in portal hypertensive rabbits with schistosomiasis.

METHODS: The experimental group included 20 portal hypertensive rabbits with schistosomiasis treated by ICCBco. The control group included 20 portal hypertensive rabbits with schistosomiasis treated by praziquantel. The morphological changes of the pulmonary tissues were observed under light and electron microscopy. The expression of fibronectin (FN) and laminin (LN) in the lung tissues was analyzed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS: Under light microscope, the alveolar exudation in the lung tissue was more frequently observed in the control group, while the alveolar space was fairly dry in the lung tissue of ICCBco group. Under electron microscope, more alveolar exudation in the lung tissue, and more macrophages, alveolar angiotelectasis and the blurred three-tier structure of alveolar-capillary barrier could be seen in the control group. In ICCBco group, fibers within the alveolar interspace slightly increased in some lung regions, and the structure of type I epithelium, basement membrane and endodermis was complete, and no obvious exudation from the alveolar space, and novascular congestion could be observed. There was a positive or strong positive expression of FN and LN in the lung tissue of the control group, while there was a negative or weak positive expression of FN and LN in ICCBco group.

CONCLUSION: ICCBco can effectively prevent pulmonary complications in portal hypertensive rabbits with schistosomiasis by means of improving lung microcirculation and lowering the content of extracellular matrix.

Keywords: In vitro cultivated Calculus Bovis compound preparation, Schistosomiasis, Portal hypertension, Lung lesion, Fibronectin, Laminin, Pulmonary microcirculation