[Expression of Rock2 and TGF-β1 mRNA and glucocorticoid intervention in asthmatic rats].

Objective: To study the roles of rhoassociated coiled coil forming protein kinase 2 (Rock2) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) mRNA in acute asthma and the effect of glucocorticoid intervention on the Rock2 and TGF-β1 mRNA expression in rats.

Methods: Forty-eight male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=12 each): asthma, control, dexamethasone treated (DXM) and budesonide treated (BUD). Rat model of asthma was prepared by the ovalbumin (OVA) challenge.

[Regulative mechanism of budesonide on endogenous hydrogen sulfide, cystathionine-gamma-lyase and cystathionine-beta-synthase system in asthmatic rats].

Objective: To investigate plasma hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) levels and cystathionine-gamma- lyase (CSE) and cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) mRNA expression in the lung tissues in asthmatic rats and to explore the roles of endogenous H₂S, CSE and CBS system in the pathogenesis of asthma.

Methods: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats (age 5 to 7 weeks) were randomly divided into three groups: control, asthma and budesonide treatment (n = 10 each). The asthma model was established by ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and challenge.