Abstract: Objective To explore the role of pulmonary neuroendocrine cells（PNECs）in damage and repair of airway by the changes of amount, distribution of PNECs after bronchoplasty. Methods 30 sprague dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups according to sample taking time after left principal bronchoplasty：1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and another 10 rats without bronchoplasty were used as normal control. The quantity and distribution of PNECs were studied by Grimelius silver stain. Both serotonin (5-HT) positive PNECs and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) positive PNECs were studied by imnunohistochemistry. Results PNECs were mainly found in the epithelium of the bronchus and terminal bronchioles. Some PNECs formed into neuroepithlial bodies (NEB). 1 wk after bronchoplasty, the amount of PNECs was significantly increased, and gradually declined to the normal control after 3 months . Except their location in the larger bronchi, 5-HT positive PNECs and CGRP positive PNECs did the same in number and NEB formed. Conclusion The quantity of PNEC and 5-HT positive PNEC and CGRP positive PNEC were significantly increased after bronchoplasty. It deduced that PNEC might be taken part in damage and repair of airway.

Key words: bronchoplasty, pulmonary neuroendocrine cells, neuroepithelial bodie, calcitonin gene-related peptide, serotonin