ABSTRACT
AIM: To explore regulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced elevation of Ca 2+ intracellular level in alveolar macrophages(AMs) from patients with chronic bronchitis by Angelica Sinensis and nifedipine.METHODS:AMs was obtained from 7 patients with chronic bronchitis and 6 normal controls by bronchoalveolar lavage and intracellular Ca 2+ level was detected after adding Angelica Sinensis, nifedipine or LPS to the supernatant of AMs loaded by Fura-2. RESULTS: In contrast with normal control group (99.65?32.21 nmol/L), intracellular Ca 2+ level in AMs from chronic bronchitis group (189.47?23.69 nmol/L) was increased significantly in the absence of extracellular Ca 2+ but not 1 mmol/L. Intracellular Ca 2+ level in AMs from chronic bronchitis group were significantly increased by adding 10 ?g/mL LPS to the supernatant of AMs. LPS-induced elevation of intracellular Ca 2+ level in AMs from chronic bronchitis group was completely inhibited by Angelica Sinensis or nifedipine.CONCLUSION: Both Anelica Sinensis and nifedipine may inhibit activation of AMs from patients with chronic bronchitis by reducing LPS-induced elevation of intracellular Ca 2+ level in AMs, suggested that these two medicines may inhibit non-specific inflammation of airways in chronic bronchitis.