Objective: To investigate the influence of Lifei Huaxian decoction (LFHX) on connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and fibronectin (FN) signal transduction pathway in pulmonary fibrosis in rats. Method : Five randomized groups of Wistar rats were setup(n=20 each). Then experimental pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin injection through tracheal was carried in the rats on day 0; treatments were ig given on day 1 by as prednisone acetate tablets 0.9 mg ·kg-1

LFHX 3.78 g ·kg-1

prednisone acetate-LFHX joint treatment

and normal saline in the control group and the model group. Ten animals in each group were randomly killed on day 7 and day 28 by bleeding through the aorta. The killing was carried out 2 h after last ig administration; blood sample was collected and lung tissue (right middle lobe) was kept in 4% neutral formaldehyde. Alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis were evaluated with pathological slides stained by HE and Masson. Pulmonary fibrosis was measured by content of serum hydroxyproline (Hyp); CTGF

FN in lung tissue by immunohistochemistry. Result : Levels of alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis

serum HYP

CTGF

FN of model group were significantly increased compared with those in control group (P<0.05); while the above indicators of treatment groups were significantly lower than those in model group (P<0.05). Conclusion : LFHX shows anti-pulmonary fibrosis action. It is likely related with CTGF

FN inhibition.