Modulation of the endogenous Annexin A1 in a cigarette smoke cessation model: potential therapeutic target in reversing the damage caused by smoking?

Abstract Background Smoking cessation may help in the reversal of inflammation and damage caused by smoking. The endogenous annexin A1 (AnxA1) protein has anti-inflammatory effects which instigates the understanding of its role in the attenuation of inflammatory processes caused by smoking. Material and Methods Wistar rats were exposed to cigarette smoke for 8 weeks. After the exposure period, one of the groups remained other 8 weeks in the absence of smoke. Animals not exposed to smoke were used as control. Blood, trachea and lungs were obtained for histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses. Results Loss of cilia of the tracheal lining epithelium was found by smoke exposure, but smoking cessation led to recovery of the tracheal epithelium. Similarly, chronically exposed-to-smoke animals showed increased lymphocytes and macrophages in bronchoalveolar lavage and higher levels of glucose and gamma-GT in their blood. Reduction of lymphocytes, glucose and gamma-GT occurred after smoking cessation. In addition, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and MCP-1 levels were elevated by smoke exposure. Smoking cessation significantly reduced the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and MCP-1 but increased the IL-10 concentration. Numerous mast cells and macrophages were observed in the lung of chronically exposed-to-smoke animals with reduction by smoking cigarette abstinence. AnxA1 increased expression and concomitant NF-κB reduction were found in the smoking cessation group. Conclusion Our results showed that cigarette abstinence promoted partial recovery of the inflammatory process. The attenuation of the inflammatory profile may be associated with the overexpression of AnxA1 protein.