Bronchoalveolar Lavage and Histologic Characterization of Inhaled Heparin in Asthmatic Guinea Pigs

摘要

Objective: To survey the effects of inhaled heparin on airway inflammation in guinea pigs with asthma and investigate the possible mechanism of inhaled heparin in the treatment of asthma. Methods: The asthma in guinea pigs induced by ovalbumin was treated with inhaled heparin. The changes of cellularities in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and the airway walls were examined. Histologic examinations were also done in the guinea pig controls. Results: The number of eosinophils, lymphocytes, and ciliated epithelial cells in the BAL fluid from the group treated with heparin was significantly lower than that of the group of asthma controls (P<0.01). Within the airway watts of the heparin treated group, the eosinophil infiltration was less prominent than that of the group of asthma controls (P<0.001) and the number of mast cell was significantly higher than that of the group of asthma controls (P<0.01). Histologic examination showed that airway damages in the heparin treated group were mild. Conclusion: Heparin can inhibit airway inflammation and alleviate airway damage in guinea pigs with asthma.