Expression levels of reactive oxygen species, NF-κBp65 and TGF-β1 and their correlations in bronchopulmonary dysplasia in neonatal rats

Abstract

Purpose: To study the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nuclear transcription factor-κBp65 (NF-κBp65) and TGF-1, and their correlation in bronchopulmonary dysplasia in neonatal rats.Methods: Twenty (20) pregnant rats were randomly divided into study and normal groups. Radial alveolar counts were carried out at 2, 8 and 15 days of age. The levels of ROS expression in the lung tissues of the two groups were assayed by ELISA while immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expressions of TGF-β1 and NF-κBp65 in neonatal lung tissues of the two groups. Pearson correlation test was used to analyze correlations amongst ROS, TGF-β1 and NF-κBp65 in the neonatal lung tissues.Results: At days 8 and 9 after birth, radial alveolar count was significantly lower in study rats than in control rats (p < 0.05). Expression levels of ROS, TGF-β1 and NF-κBp65 in study group were markedly raised at days 2, 4 and 8 after birth, relative to control (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The levels of ROS, TGF-β1 and NF-κBp65 in bronchopulmonary dysplasia in neonatal rats are significantly and positively correlated, and are higher than those in normal rats. This provides a scientific basis for development of drugs for bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Keywords: Neonatal rats, Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, Lung tissue, NF-κBp65, TGF-β1, Correlation