Effect of Lecithinized-Superoxide Dismutase on the Interstitial Pneumonia Model Induced by Bleomycin in Mice
Chihiro Yamazaki, Jiro Hoshino, Yusuke Hori, Tomoko Sekigachi, Satoshi
Miyauchi, Syoji Mizuno and Katsuyuki Horie
Tokyo Research Institute, Seikagoku Corporation, 3-1253 Tateno, Higashiyamato,
Tokyo 207, Japan
Abstract: Superoxide anion (O2-) acts as an exacerbation factor in
interstitial pneumonia. Lecithinized-superoxide dismutase (PC-SOD), which
is synthesized with a lecithin derivative bound covalently to recombinant
human Cu,Zn-SOD, has a longer half-life in plasma and higher affinity to
cell membranes than unmodified SOD. The effect of PC-SOD was evaluated using
the bleomycin-induced interstitial pneumonia mouse model. Treatment with
PC-SOD at 10 mg/kg significantly reduced the hydroxyproline content and
fibrosis score. Namely, PC-SOD suppressed the progression of pulmonary fibrosis
on the bleomycin-induced interstitial pneumonia mouse model. PC-SOD may
be a potential drug for interstitial pneumonia therapy.
Keywords: Lecithinized-superoxide dismutase, Interstitial pneumonia,
Bleomycin