Effects of DXM on MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expression.

<p>A/B, rats were pre-treated with DXM(2 mg/kg/day) and/or MIF(10 mg/kg/q12 h) for consecutive 3 days, then MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expression were investigated 1 h after H₂S exposure. C/D, A549 cells were pre-treated with DXM(100 nM) and/or MIF(1 μM) for 24 h, then incubated with NaHS(500 μM) for 6 h to investigate MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expression. MMP-2 or MMP-9/GAPDH mRNA ratios analyzed by using real-time PCR. Each bar represents the levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA normalized to the level of GAPDH mRNA, shown as a percentage of the control value. Each data point represents mean±S.E. of mRNA levels from at least three separate experiments in which treatments were performed in triplicates. *Indicates significant difference (p<0.05) versus control group. # Indicates significant difference (p<0.05) versus DXM + H₂S/NaHS exposed group; & Indicates significant difference (p<0.05) between H₂S/NaHS + DXM + MIF and DXM + MIF treated group.</p

Groups of DOX.

<p>Groups of DOX.</p

Wet/dry ratio and protein content in BALF.

<p>A, wet/dry ratio; B, protein content in BALF. Mean values ± S.E. are presented from three independent experiments. * Indicates significant difference (p<0.05) versus control group. # Indicates significant difference (p<0.05) versus DXM + H₂S post 6 h group; & Indicates significant difference (p<0.05) between H₂S + DXM + MIF and DXM + MIF treated group.</p

Groups of DXM and MIF.

<p>Groups of DXM and MIF.</p

Effects of dexamethasone on MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein expression.

<p>A, rats pret-reated with DXM(2 mg/kg/day) and/or MIF(10 mg/kg/q12 h) for consecutive 3 days, then investigate MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein expression were investigated at the time point of 6 h after H₂S exposure. B, A549 cells were pre-treated with DXM(100 nM) and/or MIF(1 μM) for 24 h, then incubated with NaHS(500 μM) for 12 h and MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein expression were detected. Mean values ± S.E. are presented from three independent isolations and three independent samples. *Indicates significant difference (p<0.05) versus control group. # Indicates significant difference (p<0.05) versus DXM + H₂S/NaHS exposed group; & Indicates significant difference (p<0.05) between H₂S/NaHS + DXM + MIF and DXM + MIF treated group.</p

Effects of H₂S on the lung W/D ratio.

<p>6₂S, and the W/D ratio was detected. * Indicates significant difference (p<0.05) when the values were compared to the control.</p

Effects of H₂S on MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expression.

<p>A/B, MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expression in lungs at 30 min, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after H₂S exposure; C/D, MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expression in A549 cells incubated with NaHS(500 μM) for 6 h, 12 h, 24 h. MMP-2 or MMP-9/GAPDH mRNA ratios analyzed by using real-time PCR. Each bar represents the level of MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA normalized to the level of GAPDH mRNA, shown as a percentage of the control value. Each data point represents mean±S.E. of mRNA levels from at least three separate experiments in which treatments were performed in triplicates. *Indicates significant difference (p<0.05) when the values were compared to that of the control.</p

Histopathological changes in lungs after H₂S exposure at 100 × magnification.

<p>A, control group; B, 30 min after H₂S exposure; C, 1 h after H₂S exposure; D, 3 h after H₂S exposure: interlobular septal thickening (arrow); E, 6 h after H₂S exposure: infiltration of inflammatory cells into interstitium and alveolar spaces (arrowheads); F, 12 h after H₂S exposure: septal thickening, infiltration of inflammatory cells and haemorrhage (*); G, 24 h after H₂S exposure: microscopic changes have become much more severe; H, The histological scores. ○: histological scores for all rats; •: error bars: mean±S.E. values for every exposure time point. The histological scores increased in a time-dependent manner.</p

The primer sequences.

<p>The primer sequences.</p

Effects of DOX on MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein expression.

<p>Rats were pre-treated with DOX(20 mg/kg/day) for consecutive 7 days, then MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein expression were investigated 6 h after H₂S exposure. Mean values ± S.E. are presented from three independent isolations and three independent samples. *Indicates significant difference (p<0.05) versus control group. # Indicates significant difference (p<0.05) versus H₂S post 6 h group.</p