Objective: To observe the effect of erythromycin on the development of pulmonary fibrosis and explore the new therapy in pulmonary fibrosis.
Methods: By evaluating the pathologic changes, the synthesis of collagen protein, the level of activity and expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), the effect of erythromycin was investigated on the rat model of pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin.
Results: The alveolitis alleviated in the first week in treatment group comparing with the control group (142.5 +/- 13.9 mg/g), the synthesis of collagen protein decreased in the fourth week treatment group (96.8 +/- 4.8 mg/g) (q Test P < 0.01).
Conclusion: Erythromycin may alleviate the process of rat pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin.