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ABSTRACT
Purpose: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is an insidiously progressive scarring disorder of the alveoli and is associated with high mortality. Currently, therapies available are associated with restricted efficacy and side effects. This study aimed to investigate the effect of chitosan aerosol inhalation on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pulmonary remodeling and fibrosis in rats. Methods: A rat model of PF was established by intratracheal injection of LPS (5 mg/kg). Chitosan was nebulized to rats from day 4 to 28 after LPS injection. We analyzed the effect of chitosan on LPS-induced pulmonary remodeling and fibrosis by hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE), Masson staining, and the determination of the hydroxyproline content. The expression intensities of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were analyzed by western blots. Results: Histological assessments showed that chitosan aerosol inhalation attenuated the fibrotic changes in LPS-induced PF in rats. Compared with the LPS group, the fibrosis parameters were significantly improved in the LPS + chitosan group (LCh group), although not as good as those of the control group. The expressions of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 in the LCh group were markedly less than that of the LPS group on the 28th day. Conclusions: Our findings show that chitosan aerosol inhalation inhibits the expression of MMP-3 and TIMP-1, and ameliorates LPS-induced pulmonary remodeling and fibrosis in rats.