[To explore the mechanisms of neurogenic inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness of rat by inhaled sulfur].

AIM: To explore the physiopathological mechanisms of airway injury and the effect on the airway responsiveness of rat by inhaled sulfur dioxide(SO2).

METHODS

Sixteen SD male rats were divided randomly into 2 groups (n = 8): the control group and SO2 group. The control group was exposed o pure air. SO2 group was exposed to SO2 of the content 1.0 mg/(m(3) x h) 6h daily for consecutive 3 d. At 4th day, we determined the airway responsiveness, collected the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), plasma and lung tissue. Then we counted the total cellular score in BALF, measured the plasma SP content and made the immunohistochemistry staining on the lung tissue (HE and SP methods).

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the total cellular score in BALF and plasma SP content in SO2 group's increased significantly ( P < 0.01). HE staining showed there were a great deal of inflammatory cells infiltration under the tunica mucosa bronchiorum; and SP immunohistochemistry staining indicated there were significant changes in numbers of SP-IR positive fibers of SO2group.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to low concentration of SO2 would injure healthy rat's airway, and induce airway hyperresponsiveness, neurogenic inflammation is one of its critical pathophysiological mechanisms.