RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of enalapril on nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) expression in a rat model of mucus hypersecretion induced by acrolein. METHODS: The rat model of mucus hypersecretion was established by the inhalation of acrolein. Then the mucus hypersecretion rats were treated by enalapril. The AB/PAS stain was performed to measure the secretion of airway in the rats, while the mRNA and protein expression levels of NF-kappaB in the airway were detected by RT-PCR, ISH, immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: With the inhalation of acrolein, the airway secretion increased obviously, while the mRNA and protein expressions of NF-kappaB in lung were increased. The treatment of enalapril resulted in a significant decrease of airway secretion, as well as the downregulation of NF-kappaB in both protein and gene level. CONCLUSION: Enalapril (ACE inhibitor) treatment could effectively decrease pulmonary mucus hypersecretion in acrolein-treated rats, which may be related to the downregulation of NF-kappaB expression.