Objective:To observe the influence of ‘catharsis large intestine' on matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9)

transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)

Smad3 mRNA and Smad7 mRNA from rats lung with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)

and to investigate the mechanism of ‘treating from intestine'. Method:The rat model of COPD was established by cigarette smoking combined with intratracheal injection of lipopolysaccharide(LPS). All rats were randomly divided into normal control group

model group

treating intestine group

treating lung group

treating lung and intestine group. The normal control group

model group were intragastrically given the 10 mL·kg-1pure water solution

and other groups were intragastrically given corresponding herbal drugs (the charge for treating intestine group

treating lung group and treating lung and intestine group were 1.50

4.25

5.75 g·kg-1) for 14 days. The positive expression area ratio of MMP-9 and TGF-β were measured by immunohistochemical method

and the content of Smad3 mRNA and Smad7 mRNA were by Real time fluorescent quantitative PCR method from all groups of 40 rat's lung. Result:The model group of protein positive area ratios of MMP-9 and TGF-β became 1.231% and 3.002%

and the expression value of Smad3 mRNA was 14.804

and Smad7 mRNA was 0.2.The levels of MMP-9

TGF-β and Smad3 expression were markedly higher

while Smad7 expression were markedly lower

in the model group compared with those in the normal control group (P＜0.01). The levels of MMP-9

TGF-β became 0.944% and 1.989%

both of them and Smad3 were all lower in the treating intestine group than those in model group

while Smad7 levels keep higher(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). The expression of TGF-β

Smad3 was lower but Smad7 expression grows up to 0.784 higher in the lung and intestine group than those in the lung group(P＜0.01). Conclusion:‘Ceatharsislarge intestine' can have effects on airway remodeling of lung in rats with COPD.