Korean J Pathol.  2004 Jun;38(3):145-156.

Reducing Effect of Angiotensin-1 Converting Enzyme Inhibitor (Captopril) in Fibrosis of Radiation Induced Lung Injury

• Kwon KY
• Jung HR
• Kwon SY
• Kim JH
• Kim OB

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The captopril reduces radiation induced lung injury and fibrosis. We designed a study to evaluate the antifibrogenic effect of Captopril in radiation induced lung injury.
METHODS
Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into radiation group (I) (n=30) and radiation plus captopril group (II) (n=15). The rats were sacrificed at 12 hours and 11 weeks after radiation. We examined light microscopic, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic features in each groups.
RESULTS
In Group I, the lungs showed acute lung injury at 12 h. The lungs showed patchy fibrosis with collagen deposits at 11 weeks. The severity of the alveolar injury and fibrosis was correlated with radiation doses. The Group II showed less severe lung fibrosis than Group I. The mean numbers of mast cells and myofibroblasts of Group II were lower than Group I (p< 0.05). The TNF-alpha and TGF-beta were higher expressed according to radiation doses in Group I, and less prominent in Group II. Ultrastructurally, the alveolar cell injury and fibrosis were less severe in Group II. The TUNEL stains showed higher expressions according to radiation doses in Group I, and expressed in Group II.
CONCLUSIONS
The captopril decreases the number of mast cells and myofibroblasts, reduces collagen deposition and apoptosis of alveolar cells in rat lungs after radiation, and so reduces the degree of pulmonary injury and fibrosis.

Keyword

Captopril; Radiation; Lung Fibrosis; In Situ Nick; End Labeling

MeSH Terms

Acute Lung Injury
Animals
Apoptosis
Captopril
Collagen
Coloring Agents
Fibrosis*
In Situ Nick-End Labeling
Lung Injury*
Lung*
Mast Cells
Myofibroblasts
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Transforming Growth Factor beta
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Captopril
Collagen
Coloring Agents
Transforming Growth Factor beta
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha