[Liver growth factor improves pulmonary fibrosis secondary to cadmium administration in rats].

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Liver growth factor (LGF) is a liver mitogen with regenerating and anti-fibrotic activity even at extrahepatic sites. We used LGF in a lung fibrosis model induced by cadmium chloride (CdCl(2)), to study its antifibrotic capacity.

METHODS:

Forty-two male Wistar rats were administered a single dose of 0.5ml/rat of CdCl2 0.025% (n=21) or the same volume of saline (control group, n=21). After 35 days, once a lesion was established, we started a 3 week treatment with LGF, after which we determined lung function--inspiratory capacity (IC), lung compliance (LC), forced vital capacity (FVC) and expiratory flow at 75% (FEF75%)-, lung morphometry--alveolar internal area (AIA), mean linear intersection (LM)-, and collagen (both by Sirius red and hydroxyproline residues) and elastin contents.

RESULTS:

Pulmonary fibrosis in CdCl(2) rats was characterized by a marked decrease in pulmonary function with respect to healthy controls -reductions of 28% in IC, 38% in CL, 31% in FVC, and 54% in FEF75%- which was partially recovered after LGF injection -18% IC, 27% CL, 19% FVC and 35% FEF75%-; increase in collagen and elastin contents -165% and 76%, respectively, in CdCl2 rats, versus 110% and 34% after LGF injection-; and increases in AIA and LM, partially reverted by LGF.

CONCLUSIONS:

Together, these data seem to demonstrate that LGF is able to improve lung function and partially reverts the increase in lung matrix proteins produced by CdCl(2) instillation.

• Authors: Lourdes Martínez-Galán, Laura del Puerto-Nevado, Sandra Pérez-Rial, Juan José Díaz-Gil, Nicolás González-Mangado, Germán Peces-Barba
• Journal: Archivos de bronconeumologia (Arch Bronconeumol) Vol. 46 Issue 1 Pg. 20-6 (Jan 2010) ISSN: 1579-2129 [Electronic] Spain
• Vernacular Title: El factor de crecimiento de hígado mejora la fibrosis pulmonar inducida tras la administración de cadmio en ratas.
• PMID: 20034722 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright (c) 2009 SEPAR. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Growth Substances
• Serum Albumin
• albumin-bilirubin complex
• Cadmium Chloride
• Bilirubin
• Serum Albumin, Human

Topics

• Animals
• Bilirubin (therapeutic use)
• Cadmium Chloride (administration & dosage)
• Growth Substances (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Pulmonary Fibrosis (chemically induced, prevention & control)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Serum Albumin (therapeutic use)
• Serum Albumin, Human