[Expression and location of heme oxygenase in the lung of experimental cirrhotic rats].

OBJECTIVES

To observe the function of heme oxygenase (HO) in the lung damage in hepatic cirrhosis rats.

METHODS

Liver cirrhosis model rats were made by CCl4. Lung samples taken from normal and cirrhotic rats were examined for HO-1 and HO-2 protein and expression distribution with immunohistochemical staining and western blot.

RESULTS

Liver cirrhosis model rats were successfully constructed. There was a notable increase of HO-1 staining (0.062+/-0.021 vs 0.185+/-0.044, t=11.24, P<0.01) and protein expression (0 vs 5294.92+/-46.02, t=11.45, P<0.01) in both vascular and bronchial smooth muscle cells and endothelium in cirrhotic rats, however, no statistical difference of HO-2 between cirrhotic and normal rats was observed.

CONCLUSION

The HO-CO pathway is probably involved in the pathogenesis of lung damage in hepatic cirrhosis rats.