Abstract:Objective To observe the effect of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on expressions of PI3K, AKT and mTOR in rats with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and to investigate its mechanism. Methods Ninety male SD rats were randomly divided into a model group, a treatment group and a control group (30 in each group). Bleomycin (5 mg/ kg) was injected into the trachea of the rats to establish the model of pulmonary fibrosis in the model group and the treatment group, while the control group was injected with sterile physiological saline (200 μl for each). From the 2nd day, the rats in the treatment group received intraperitoneal injection of 1,25-(OH)2D3 (2 μg/kg), and the rats in the model group and the control group were given the solvant (99.9% propylene glycol and 0.1% ethanol, 200 μl per rat) and sterile physiological saline (200 μl per rat) respectively by intraperitoneal injection, once every other day. Ten rats were sacrificed randomly on the 14th, 21st and 28th day in each group. The hydroxyproline content of the lung tissues of the rats in each group was measured. The mRNA and protein expression levels of PI3K, AKT and mTOR were tested by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results The hydroxyproline content of the lung tissues, the mRNA and protein expression levels of PI3K, AKT and mTOR were obviously increased in the model group and the treatment group compared with those in the control group on day 14, 21 and 28 (P < 0.05). However, all the above indicators in the treatment group were reduced significantly compared with those of the model group on day 14, 21 and 28 (P < 0.05). Conclusions The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway plays an important role in IPF. 1,25-(OH)2D3 has certain therapeutical effect on IPF, perhaps it plays a role through inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.