Effect of Bufei Yishen Granules Combined with Electroacupuncture in Rats with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease via the Regulation of TLR-4/NF-κB Signaling

Abstract

Background. The combined therapy of Bufei Yishen granules (BY) and electroacupuncture (EA) has shown good effects clinically in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The present study aimed to observe the effects of the BY + EA combination in a COPD rat model and dissect the potential mechanisms via Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling. Methods. The COPD rats were treated with normal saline, aminophylline, Bufei Yishen granules, electroacupuncture, or Bufei Yishen granules combined with electroacupuncture. The pulmonary function; lung tissue histology; levels of inflammatory factors; expression levels of TLR-4, inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (IκB), and NF-κB; and activation of NF-κB in the lung tissues were evaluated. Results. Pulmonary function was markedly decreased in the COPD rats, and the lung tissue histology of the COPD rats showed severe pathological changes. The pulmonary function and lung tissue morphology in the treatment groups (APL, BY, EA, and BY + EA) were improved. The increased levels of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 indicated a chronic inflammatory state in the COPD rats. In the BY, EA, and BY + EA groups, the levels of IL-1β and IL-6 were decreased, especially in the BY + EA group. In addition, the mRNA and protein expression levels of TLR-4, IκB, and NF-κB were obviously downregulated in the BY and BY + EA groups; and the NF-κB p65 activation was significantly decreased in the BY, EA, and BY + EA groups. Conclusions. Bufei Yishen granules and electroacupuncture have curative effects in COPD rats, and the combination therapy of Bufei Yishen granules and electroacupuncture is superior. The TLR-4/NF-κB pathway may be involved in the potential mechanisms by which Bufei Yishen granules and electroacupuncture reduce inflammation.

Identification of Potential Key Genes in the Pathogenesis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Through Bioinformatics Analysis

“…COPD is a common respiratory disease that severely compromises patients’ quality of life and imposes heavy economic burdens on patients, families, and society ( Ma et al, 2019 ; Mao et al, 2019 ). Although several medicines, including inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, and long-acting β2-agonists, have already been shown to have some clinical efficacy, they also have many adverse effects and are time- or dose-dependent ( Cazzola et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common chronic respiratory disease, characterized by airflow limitation that is not completely reversible. COPD patients experience declines in lung function resulting in great economic and social burdens worldwide ( Vestbo et al, 2013 ; Ma et al, 2019 ; Mao et al, 2019 ; Sun et al, 2019 ; Chen et al, 2020 ). Studies reveal that COPD will become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030, and it is estimated that over 5.4 million people will die from COPD annually from 2060 ( Singh et al, 2019 ; Belchamber and Donnelly, 2020 ; Chen et al, 2020 ).…”

Therapeutic sildenafil inhibits pulmonary damage induced by cigarette smoke exposure and bacterial inhalation in rats

“…The model should appear not only pulmonary functional reduction and pulmonary pathological changes but also PH and pulmonary vascular remodeling. Although some studies reported stable pulmonary functional reduction and pulmonary pathological changes induced by CS exposure and Klebsiella pneumonia inhalation in rats (Li et al 2012;Zhao et al 2018;Ma et al 2019), research of PH and pulmonary vascular remodeling in the rat model was deficient. In the study, besides of lung function drop and severe pulmonary lesions including of emphysema, inflammatory cells inflation and fibrosis accumulation increase in interstitium, model rats appeared to PAP increase and pulmonary vascular remodeling including of thickness increase of vascular walls and vascular media, and muscular vessels increase.…”

<p>The Role of Toll-Like Receptors 2 and 4 in the Pathogenesis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease</p>

“…The potential mechanism of their action appears to be the suppression of TLR-4/NF-κB signaling. 75 There is evidence of an inhibitory effect of plant polyphenols (resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, kaempferol-3-O-sophoroside, naringenin, catechin) on TLR4 and TLR2 signal transduction. 76 Resveratrol is a particularly promising candidate for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.…”