Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in body weight and the lung inflammation factors interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in a rat model of cold-dryness syndrome in Northwest (Xinjiang) China to provide a reference for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with local peculiarities. METHODS: The rat COPD model was established by intratracheal instillation of porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) in combination with cigarette smoking (CS). The rat model of cold-dryness syndrome of COPD in the northwest of China was set up by intratracheal instillation of PPE in combination with CS and environmental cold-dryness stress. The level of IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α in Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The data were analyzed using the software SPSS 11.5. RESULTS: 1) Body weight was less in the two model groups than that of control group(P<0.01), PPE plus CS cold-dryness group was less than that of PPE plus CS group (P<0.01). 2) IL-1β in BALF significantly increased in PPE plus CS and cold-dryness group than that of control group (P<0.01). 3) IL-8 and TNF-α in BALF significantly increased in PPE plus CS and cold-dryness group and PPE plus CS group than that of control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Body weight in COPD model rats was reduced compared with controls. Cold-dryness may aggravate such a condition Lung inflammation in the model was mainly manifested by an increase in IL-1β, IL-8 and TNF-α levels, with no change in IL-10 levels. Cold-dryness may aggravate lung inflammation of COPD.

Key words: Pulmonary disease; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Cold-dryness syndrome; Northwest China; Inflammatory reaction