Ultrastructural changes in rat airway epithelium in asthmatic airway remodeling

ObjectivesTo explore asthmatic rat airway epithelial cells mitochondrial ultrastructure changes.MethodsSix female Wistar rats of the same weight (60–80 g) were randomly divided into two groups: the asthmatic group and the control group. According to the OVA inhaled method, the asthmatic airway remodeling rat model was established. Epithelial tissue of the rat trachea was taken from the two groups for transmission electron microscopy (TEM); we counted the number of mitochondria and observed the airway ciliated epithelium, intercellular collagen deposition in the two rat groups and mitochondrial ultrastructure change.ResultsAirway multilayer ciliated epithelium develops, with cilia fallen off; goblet cells increased and irregular, mitochondrial basement membrane density is decreased, mitochondrial crista is reduced, and the nucleus has more incisures and irregular shape in asthmatic rats; airway epithelial cell matrix collagen deposition increased; and lamellar body and mitochondrial cavity formation.ConclusionsIn the asthmatic rat airway, epithelial cells undergo apoptosis and the numbers of mitochondria increased compared with the ones in normal rat airway but lose normal structure.