Objectives : This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of bee venom on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods : In this study, LPS was administrated to Balb/c mice to induce a disease t...
Objectives : This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of bee venom on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods : In this study, LPS was administrated to Balb/c mice to induce a disease that resembles COPD. 2 hr prior to LPS administration, mice were treated with bee venom via an intraperitoneal injection. Total cell number and neutrophils number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were counted and pro-inflammatory cytokines were also measured. For histologic analysis, periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stains were evaluated. Proliferating cell nuclear antigens (PCNA) were also assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results : On 7 days after LPS stimulation, influx of neutrophils significantly decreased in the bee venom group, compared with the COPD group. In addition, TNF-a and IL-6 levels decreased in bee venom group. Histological results also demonstrated the attenuation effect of bee venom on LPS-induced lung inflammation. Conclusions : These data suggest that bee venom has protective effects on LPS-induced lung inflammation. Therefore, bee venom may represent a novel therapeutic agent for lung inflammation and in particular for COPD.