Abstract:

Objective To explore effects of ephedrine in the mouse lung. Methods Sixty mice were randomly divided into control group and ephedrine group.The mice in ephedrine group were injected with ephedrine at the doses 0.0315 g/kg，0.0477 g/kg，0.0564 g/kg (×0.2ml)，respectively，twice per day for 15 days，and the mice in control group were injected with equal amount of saline.Changes in the activity of superoxide dismutase（SOD），catalase（CAT）and the content of maleicdialdehyde（MDA）in mice lung and the activity of plasma myeloperoxidase (MPO) were analyzed by colorimetry.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the changes of histological structures in the mouse lung.The expressions of c-Fos protein and Caspase-3 protein were examined by immunohistochemical method. Results The activities of SOD，CAT were higher temporarily in the ephedrine group than those in the control group at the fifth treatment day，but they were significantly lower in the ephedrine group than those in the control group at the 10th and 15th treatment days.MDA content was reduced temporarily at the 5th treatment day，while were significantly increased at the 10th and 15th treatment days.The activity of plasma MPO increased.Histopathologic damage in the lung of ephedrine group was obvious.The alveolar diameter and thickness of the alveolar septum increased and radical alveolar counts（RAC）reduced significantly.The intensities of immunohistochemical positive staining for c-Fos，Caspase-3 proteins were increased significantly in the lung. Conclusion Ephedrine significantly affects the antioxidant enzyme activity，increases the inflammatory reaction of body，induces cell apoptosis，and damages histological structures and function in the mouse lung.

Key words: Ephedrine, Lung, Antioxidant enzyme, Histological structure, c-Fos protein, Caspase-3 protein, Immunohistochemistry, Mouse