Ekin, SuatYildirim, SerkanAkkoyun, Mahire BayramogluGok, Hasya NazliArihan, OkanOto, GokhanAkkoyun, Turan2024-12-242024-12-2420221984-82502175-9790https://doi.org/10.1590/s2175-97902022e20827https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12604/7493The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antifibrotic and antioxidant roles of theophylline (Theo), a bioactive compound, in bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in Wistar albino rats. Assigned into 4 groups were 32 Wistar albino rats, comprising the control group (administered 0.9% isotonic saline), BLM group (treated with BLM at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg), BLM+Theo group (treated with Theo at a dose of 75 mg/kg + BLM at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg), and Theo group (treated with Theo at a dose of 75 mg/kg). In the BLM group, a significant decrease was observed in the catalase and glutathione peroxidase enzyme activities, and reduced glutathione (GSH) (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, p < 0.001, respectively), while the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (p < 0.001) were significantly elevated when compared to the control group. However, the MDA levels in the BLM+Theo group were also significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.01). Similarly, the GSH levels were significantly higher in the BLM+Theo group than in the BLM group (p < 0.05). The results indicated that Theo reduced the BLM-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappa B) and decreased interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, together with significant amelioration of the immunohistochemical and histopathological architecture in the lung tissues. It was concluded that the administration of Theo had a positive effect on the GSH level, and activation of NF-kappa B and IL-6 expression, which were significant proinflammatory markers in the BLM-treated rats.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessTheophyllineBleomycinIL-6NF-?BAntioxidant enzymesArticle58Q4WOS:000904499400001Q32-s2.0-8514416527010.1590/s2175-97902022e20827