Objective To explore the preventive and therapeutic effect ofγ-interferon to experimental silicosis by studying the effect of γ-interferon on lung/body coefficient and hydroxyproline in rats exposed to quartz dust.
Methods Female Wistar rats were exposed to lower dose(20 mg/rat)of quartz dust by intratracheal injection.Beginning from the second day, the experimenatal rats were treated withγ-interferon(1×105 IU/rat)daily.Rats were killed after 1 and 2 month.Changes of lung/body coefficient and lung hydroxyproline content were determined.
Results The lung/body coefficient showed no significant difference between quartz control groups and treated groups.The lung hydroxyproline of treated groups were significantly lower than that of quartz control groups(P < 0.05).
Conclusion γ-interferon could significanlty reduce lung hydroxyproline content of quartz exposed rats.This denoted thatγ-interferon may inhibit or delay early silicotic fibrosis.
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