Abstract: Objective To observe the effects of Fuxiong cream on the lung tissue and serum levels of interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-33(IL-33),and interferon-gamma(IFN-γ) in rats with respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) pneumonia at different time points.Methods Totally 54 young SD rats were randomly divided into three groups:normal group,model group,and Fuxiong cream group,with 18 rats in each group.RSV was intranasally administered to induce pneumonia in the rats,and serum and lung tissue samples were collected from each group at 3,5,and 7 days after infection.Hematoxylin-eosin staining(HE staining) was used to observe pathological changes,and ELISA was used to measure the levels of IL-6,IL-33,and IFN-γ in mouse serum and lung tissue.Results Compared with the normal group,the levels of IL-6 and IL-33 in the model group gradually increased over time(P<0.01),while the level of IFN-γ gradually decreased(P<0.01).The lung tissue of the model group rats showed varying degrees of thickening of the alveolar wall,interstitial edema,and inflammatory cell infiltration.Compared with the model group,the levels of IL-6 and IL-33 in the Fuxiong cream group gradually decreased over time(P<0.01),while the level of IFN-γ gradually increased(P<0.01).Fuxiong Cream could alleviate the degree of alveolar wall thickening,reduce interstitial edema,and decrease inflammatory cell infiltration in rats with RSV pneumonia.Conclusion Fuxiong Cream can reduce the levels of IL-6 and IL-33 in the serum of rats with RSV pneumonia,increase the level of IFN-γ,and alleviate lung tissue damage in the young rats with RSV pneumonia.

Key words:

Respiratory syncytial virus, Fuxiong cream, Interleukin-6, Interleukin-33, Interferon-gamma, Rat