Astragaloside IV alleviates silica‑induced pulmonary fibrosis via inactivation of the TGF‑β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway

Li,Nannan; Wu,Ke; Feng,Feifei; Wang,Lin; Zhou,Xiang; Wang,Wei

doi:10.3892/ijmm.2021.4849

Astragaloside IV alleviates silica‑induced pulmonary fibrosis via inactivation of the TGF‑β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway

Authors:
- Nannan Li
- Ke Wu
- Feifei Feng
- Lin Wang
- Xiang Zhou
- Wei Wang
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Affiliations: Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250033, P.R. China, Department of Cardiology, Central Hospital of Tai’an of Shandong Province, Tai’an, Shandong 271000, P.R. China, Department of Special Examination, Central Hospital of Tai’an of Shandong Province, Tai’an, Shandong 271000, P.R. China, Department of Anesthesiology, Central Hospital of Tai'an of Shandong Province, Tai'an, Shandong 271000, P.R. China
Published online on: January 8, 2021 https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2021.4849
Article Number: 16
Copyright: © Li et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti‑fibrotic effects of astragaloside IV (ASV) in silicosis rats, and to further explore the potential underlying molecular mechanisms. A silica‑induced rat model of pulmonary fibrosis was successfully constructed. Hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining were performed to observe the pathological changes in lung tissues. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to assess the expression levels of Collagen I, fibronectin and α‑smooth muscle actin (α‑SMA). A hemocytometer and Giemsa staining were used to evaluate the cytological characteristics of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. ELISA was used to detect the levels of the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor‑α, interleukin (IL)‑1β and IL‑6. Reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR and western blotting were performed to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of genes associated with the transforming growth factor (TGF)‑β1/Smad signaling pathway. ASV alleviated silica‑induced pulmonary fibrosis, and reduced the expression of collagen I, fibronectin and α‑SMA. In addition, the results of the present study suggested that the ASV‑mediated anti‑pulmonary fibrosis response may involve reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress. More importantly, ASV suppressed silica‑induced lung fibroblast fibrosis via the TGF‑β1/Smad signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting the progression of silicosis. In conclusion, the present study indicated that ASV may prevent silicosis‑induced fibrosis by reducing the expression of Collagen I, fibronectin and α‑SMA, and reducing the inflammatory response and oxidative stress, and these effects may be mediated by inhibiting the activation of the TGF‑β1/Smad signaling pathway.

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