INFLUENCE OF XUANFEI–GUBEN PRESCRIPTION ON MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF AIRWAY REMODELING IN ASTHMATIC RATS

During the past few years, studies of structural and functional changes in living tissues in adaptation to the mechanical environment have become a major focus of medical research. The mechanical characteristics during asthma airway remodeling have begun to attract the attention of scholars. Repeated episodes of asthma influence the quality of life for patients' and their families. To explore effective therapies for asthma is a high priority for medical researchers. The purpose of the current study was to determine the mechanical characteristics of asthmatic airways in rats and the effects of Xuanfei–Guben on the airways. Thus, Xuanfei–Guben and dexamethasone were used as treatment in an ovalbumin copy asthmatic rats model. A multi-channel physiological signal acquisition and processing system and an injection pump was used to establish a biomechanical testing system. Compliance of asthmatic rat lung compliance and alveolar maximum stress and duration were determined in vitro. When rat lungs were perfused with ≤ 3 mL saline in vitro, there was no significant difference in pressure across the group. After 4 mL of water was perfused, the transpulmonary pressure increased significantly in the other groups compared with the normal group. The transpulmonary pressure in Xuanfei–Guben treatment group was less than the model and dexamethasone groups. Asthmatic rat lung compliance is poor, and a traditional Chinese medicine can improve lung compliance.