Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis regulates quadriceps muscle atrophy and fiber-type alteration in a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Evaluation of COPD rat model. a Weight change of healthy control and COPD groups over the 90-day test period. At 30, 60 and 90 days, the weights of COPD rats were significantly lower than that of controls. n = 10, *P < 0.05,versus the control group. b Rat lung function. The PEF, FEV0.3 and FEV0.3/FVC values of COPD rats were also significantly reduced compared with controls. n = 10, *P < 0.05,versus the control group. c-f Hematoxylin and eosin staining of rat lung tissue (magnification, ×100). c and d The lung tissue of control rats exhibited thin alveolar septa, normal alveoli and no inflammatory cell infiltration. e and f The lungs of COPD rats exhibited damaged alveolar septa, alveolar enlargement and inflammatory cell infiltration (indicated by black arrows). *P < 0.05. COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder; PEF, peak expiratory flow; FVC, forced vital capacity; FEV0.3, forced expiratory volume at 0.3