Assessment of traditional Chinese medicine pattern in a bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse model: A pilot study

To initially explore traditional Chinese medicine patterns in a bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse model. Thirty-six C57BL/6 mice were divided by the random number table method (with 12 rats per group) into three groups: a blank group, a model group, and a number 2 Feibi recipe (FBR-2) group. The pulmonary fibrosis mouse model was established by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. The FBR-2 group was treated with FBR-2 for 4 weeks. Symptoms in the mice such as mental behavior, food/water intake, body weight, body temperature, respiratory rate, and tongue image were observed. The samples were collected on the 14th day and 28th day after modeling, and lung tissues were visually assessed and microscopically evaluated by staining with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson. The expression levels of hydroxyproline, interleukin (IL)-33, IL-37, tissue plasminogen activator, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mice in the model group were poor in spirit, less active, slow in response, showed reduced food/water intake, body temperature, and body weight, increased respiratory rate, and their tongue color had changed from light red to dark red. However, treatment with FBR-2 significantly improved these symptoms. Extensive inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fiber deposition were observed in the lung tissues of the model group. Compared with the blank group, the levels of hydroxyproline, IL-33, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in the model group significantly increased (all P < .05), whereas that of tissue plasminogen activator significantly decreased on the 14th day and 28th day (P = .036 and P = .005, respectively). Moreover, FBR-2 improved lung inflammation and fibrinolysis imbalance and reduced collagen fiber deposition. To some extent, our bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse model exhibited traditional Chinese medicine patterns of qi deficiency, blood stasis, and heat retention.