【Animal modeling】-Establishment and evaluation of a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

  Objective To construct a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by smoking method, protease instillation and a combination of the two methods.

  Methods COPD rats were modeled by smoking, protease instillation or a combination of the two methods. There were 60, 30, and 30 rats in each group, and 20 rats in the control group. Body weights of the rats were measured weekly. The rats in the smoking group and the control group were modeled at 24 h, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks, and the rats in the protease group and the protease + smoking group were modeled at 24 h, 1, 2 , 4, 8, and 12 weeks for cytokine detection, Micro-CT examination and pathological examination. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis H test.

  Results From the 7th week, the weight gain of the rats in the smoking group and the protease + smoking group was significantly slower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The levels of interleukin-10 in the protease group and the protease + smoking group were significantly lower than those in the control group at 24 h, 1, 2, and 4 weeks (P<0.05). The concentration of MMP-9 in the protease group and the protease + smoking group at 24 h was significantly higher than that in the control group ( P<0.05). The changes of emphysema were observed on Micro-CT images and pathological images in the protease group, protease + smoking group at the 4th week and the 8th week in the smoking group.

  Conclusion The methods of smoking, protease and protease + smoking can successfully build the rat COPD model. Micro-CT can respond sensitively and realistically to pathological changes in the lungs.