Chihiro Yamazaki, Jiro Hoshino, Tomoko Sekiguchi, Yusuke Hori, Satoshi
Miyauchi, Syoji Mizuno and Katsuyuki Horie
Tokyo Research Institute, Seikagaku Corporation, 3-1253 Tateno, Higashiyamato,
Tokyo 207-0021, Japan
Abstract: To elucidate the potential role of superoxide (O2-)
and nitric oxide (NO) in the pathogenesis of interstitial pneumonia, the
quantity of O2- and NO produced by the alveolar macrophages
(AM) were determined in the bleomycin (BLM)-induced interstitial pneumonia
mouse model. The production of O2- and NO increased
on days 7, 14 and 21 after BLM injection. Strong expression of peroxynitrite
(ONOO-) was seen in AM by using immunostaining for nitrotyrosine.
The hydroxyproline contents increased on day 21 after BLM injection. O2-
and NO are thought to play an important role in the pathology of fibrosis.
Keywords: Superoxide, Nitric oxide, Fibrosis