Objective: To evaluate the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in lungs in patients with pulmonary fibrosis, and to explore their effect on the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis.
Methods: Immunohistochemical technology was performed to investigate the PPARgamma and NF-kappaB expression in lung specimens from 16 cases of pulmonary fibrosis and 10 cases of normal controls.
Results: The positive score of PPARgamma (0.35+/- 0.08) in fibrosis group was lower than that in control group (0.42+/-0.04, P<0.05). The positive score of NF-kappaB (0.51+/- 0.11) in fibrosis group was higher than that in control group (0.38+/-0.04, P<0.05). There was negative correlation between PPARgamma and NF-kappaB expression in fibrosis group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The decreased expression of PPARgamma and enhanced expression of NF-kappaB play a role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, which may provide a new idea for treating this disease.