Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule in lung tissues of experimental acute lung injury and the effect of rhubarb

AIM:To approach the relationship between the expression of intercellular adhesion (ICAM-1 mRNA) and acute lung injury (ALI) as well as the mechanisms of rhubarb in the prevention and treatment of the lung injury. METHODS:ALI animal model was performed by Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The rats were divided into 4 groups: LPS group, control group, rhubarb+LPS group and dexamethasone+LPS group. Histopathological examination and biological markers were measured for the lung specimens. Molecular hybridization method was used to determine the expression of ICAM-1 mRNA. RESULTS:The ICAM-1 mRNA expression in the lung tissues of LPS group significantly increased compared with control group (P＜0.01), rhubarb and dexamethasone had the action of decreasing the ICAM-1 mRNA expression (P＜0.05, P＜0.01); pathologic changes and the biological markers of ALI significantly decreased or ameliorated. CONCLUSION:The increase in the expression of ICAM-1 mRNA in the lung tissues of ALI is involved in the formation of ALI. Rhubarb and dexamethasone can ameliorate the lung damage, mechanism of which may be related to the inhibition of ICAM-1 mRNA expression.     

Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor-2 attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury

AIM: To investigate the effects and mechanisms of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor-2 (S1P2R)on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI). METHODS: ALI model was induced by intratracheal administration of LPS in both wild-type mice and S1P2R -deficient mice. The pathological changes in the lung tissues were observed, and the protein concentration, total cell number, neutrophil ratio, TNF-α level and IL-6 level were determined in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) 24 h after LPS injection. In order to investigate the mechanisms of S1P2R in LPS-induced ALI, 10 min before LPS injection, both wild-type mice and S1P2R -deficient mice were injected with nitric oxide synthase inhibitor by tail vein injection, the pathological changes of the lung tissues were observed, and the protein concentration and total cell number in BALF were determined 12 h after LPS injection. RESULTS: Compared with wild-type mice, S1P2R -deficient mice showed more severe LPS-induced ALI, and the protein concentration, neutrophils and inflammatory cytokines in BALF were significantly increased in S1P2R -deficient mice. Administration of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N^ω-L-nitro-arginine methyl ester protected S1P2R -deficient mice from aggravation of ALI. CONCLUSION: S1P2R mediates the protection from LPS-induced ALI possibly through inhibiting nitric oxide synthase.     

Changes of pulmonary apoptosis and NOS mRNA in the lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury

AIM: To observe the chronological changes of pulmonary apoptosis and the expression of iNOS mRNA,nNOS mRNA and eNOS mRNA in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and to investigate the mechanisms of ALI.METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: control group and LPS treated group.The rats were injected with either saline or LPS and killed at 1,3,6,9 and 12 h after LPS injection.The expressions of iNOS mRNA,nNOS mRNA and eNOS mRNA in the lung tissue were respectively measured with RT-PCR methods.Apoptosis and expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were respectively determined by flow cytometry (FCM) and immunohistochemistry (IHC).The pathological changes of lung tissue were observed under light and electron microscope.RESULTS: Compared with that in control group,the expression of iNOS mRNA was significantly increased at 3,6,9 and 12 h after administration of LPS (P<0.05).The eNOS mRNA was significantly decreased at 3,6,9 and 12 h after administration of LPS (P<0.05).The nNOS mRNA had no significant change during the 12 h in LPS group.Degree of ALI was gradually worsened after administration of LPS.Apoptosis of pulmonary cells was significantly increased,and reached the top level at 9 h after administration of LPS (P<0.01).The expression of Bcl-2 was markedly decreased and the expression of Bax was significantly enhanced in alveolar and airway epithelial cells in LPS treated group.CONCLUSION: The expressions of iNOS mRNA,eNOS mRNA and nNOS mRNA are not identical in LPS-induced acute lung injury.NOS regulates the apoptosis of pulmonary cells through affecting the balance of Bcl-2 and Bax.     

Effects of PDS on rat brain cortical nuclear factor kappa B in LPS shock

AIM:To explore the molecular mechanism of brain tissue injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS),the effects of panaxadiol (PDS) on the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in cerebral cortex of rat with LPS shock were studied. METHODS:Rats were randomly divided into LPS roup,LPS+dexamethasone group,LPS+PDS group and control group. The DNA binding activity and protein expression of NF-κB were observed. These indices were assayed at 1 h and 4 h after intravenous injection of LPS (4 mg·kg^-1). RESULTS:EMSA showed that PDS inhibited NF-κB DNA-binding activity in nuclear extracts at both 1 h and 4 h after LPS injection,compared with the LPS group (P<0.01). Western blotting showed that PDS down-regulated the expression of p65 and p50 protein in the nuclear extracts compared with the LPS group. However,the expression of p65 and p50 protein from cytosolic extracts did not show any significant change. CONCLUSION:PDS may alleviate brain injury by inhibiting NF-κB activation.     

Effect of endogenous H2S on pulmonary hypertension during acute lung injury induced by LPS and its interaction with NO

AIM: To investigate the effect of H2S on pulmonary artery hypertension during acute lung injury induced by LPS and the interaction between the systems of hydrogen sulfide (H2S)/cystathionine-β-lyase (CSE) and nitric oxide (NO)/nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in this process. METHODS: Seventy-two adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group, LPS group, LPS+L-NAME group and LPS+propargylglycine (PPG) group. Mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) of each rat was examined at 2 h, 4 h, 6 h and 8 h after treatment. H2S and NO contents in plasma, NO content, iNOS, cNOS and CSE activity in lung were measured at 4 h or 8 h after treatment, respectively. Expression of iNOS in lung tissue was also detected by immunohistochemistry technique, and the injury of lung was evaluated with morphological changes under microscope. RESULTS: LPS could induce severe lung injury, and mPAP, NO content, iNOS activity and its protein expression in LPS group significantly increased, but cNOS activity, H2S content and CSE activity decreased compared with those of control group. Administration of L-NAME before LPS could attenuate the changes induced by LPS. Pre-administration of PPG, a CSE inhibitor, exacerbated the injury by LPS, but there was no prominent variation in cNOS activity. CONCLUSION: Reduced endogenous H2S could increase pulmonary artery hypertension during acute lung injury induced by LPS. There is a negative effect between H2S/CSE system and NO/NOS system in this process.     

Change of endogenous hydrogen sulfide/cystathionine-γ-lyase system in acute lung injury induced by LPS in rats

AIM: To observe the changes of endogenous hydrogen sulfide/cystathionine-γ-lyase (H2S/CSE) system while acute lung injury induced by LPS in rats. METHODS: Eighty rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=8): Ⅰ, control group;Ⅱ, LPS 1 h group; Ⅲ, LPS 3 h group; Ⅳ, LPS 6 h group; Ⅴ, LPS 9 h group; Ⅵ, LPS 12 h group. The ALI model of rats was prepared with LPS. The rats were respectively killed at 1, 3, 6, 9 or 12 h after administration of LPS. The morphological changes of lung tissues were observed by light and electron microscope. The lung coefficient and the wet-to-dry weight ratio were measured. The contents of IL-1β and IL-10 in serum, the H2S level in plasma and the CSE activity in lung tissue were respectively detected. RESULTS: ⑴ In LPS 1 h group, the morphology, the lung coefficient, the wet-to-dry weight ratio, the H2S level and the CSE activity showed no changes compared with the control group. The contents of IL-1β and IL-10 were increased compared with the control group (IL-1β, P<0.05;IL-10, P<0.01). ⑵ In LPS 3 h, 6 h, 9 h and 12 h groups, compared with the control group, the lung tissues were significantly damaged, the lung coefficient and the wet-to-dry weight ratio were significantly increased respectively (LPS 3 h, P<0.05; LPS 6 h, 9 h, 12 h, P<0.01). The contents of IL-1β and IL-10 in serum were markedly increased (P<0.01). The H2S level in plasma and the CSE activity in lung tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: The changes of inflammatory cytokines may be the pathological foundation of the ALI induced by LPS and the endogenous hydrogen sulfide/cystathionine-γ-lyase system is possibly involved in the formation of the ALI.     

Mechanisms for protection of berberine against LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice

AIM:To investigate the mechanisms by which berberine attenuates LPS-induced acute lung injury, and provide a new strategy for the treatment of the lung injury due to LPS. METHODS:BALB/c mice were randomly assigned into three groups (control, LPS group, and berberine treatment group). Mice were administered intragastrically with distilled water (0.1 mL/10 g) or neutral sulfate berberine (50 mg/kg) once a day for 3 days, 1 h after intragastrical treatment on day 3, LPS (20 mg/kg) or normal saline was injected intraperitoneally (ip). All animals were sacrificed 12 h after LPS injection, the left lung tissue sections were prepared for histology analysis and the right lung were used to determine the ratio of wet to dry lung tissue weight (W/D). In another experiment, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected, and then the total protein content, and the amounts of white blood cells (WBC) and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) in BALF were determined. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A₂ (cPLA₂) was detected with immunohistochemical analysis by using phospho-cPLA2(Ser505) antibody, and the contents of thromboxane B₂ (TXB₂) in BALF, malondialdehyde (MDA) in the lungs, and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in lung tissues were also determined.RESULTS:LPS induced acute lung injury, activated cPLA₂, and increased TXB₂ content in the BALF and MDA level in the lung tissue. The pretreatment with berberine significantly attenuated lung injury, lung edema and protein leakage induced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS. The expression of phospho-cPLA₂ in the lung tissues and TXB₂ content in the BALF in the berberine treatment group were lower than those in LPS group (P<0.05). In addition, the content of MDA in the lung tissue was lower in the berberine treatment group than LPS group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in activity of lung SOD between the berberine treatment and LPS group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION:Pretreatment with berberine remarkably reduces the LPS-induced lung injury, which is, at least in part, through inhibiting phosphorylation of cPLA₂ and decreasing lipid peroxidation. These findings provide a new strategy for the prevention and treatment of LPS-induced acute lung injury.     

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium atte-nuates LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice

AIM:To explore the effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells-conditioned medium (MSCs CdM) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury. METHODS:Lung injury was induced in mice by intraperitoneal injection of LPS. The mice were given a tail vein injection of MSCs CdM or normal saline 1 h after LPS administration. The mice were killed by an intraperitoneal injection of pentobarbital 6 h after LPS injection for either bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum collection or lung histological analysis. RESULTS:Compared with control group, the BALF levels of protein, interleukin-10 (IL-10) and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and IL-6, and the myeloperoxidase (MOP) activity in the lung tissues were significantly higher in LPS group, and severe pathological damages in the lung tissues were also observed. Treatment with MSCs CdM significantly reduced the BALF prtein level, the seum TNF-α and IL-6　levels and the lung MPO activity, and attenuated the lung pathological damages, but further increased the levels of IL-10 and KGF in the BALF. CONCLUSION:Treatment with MSCs CdM attenuates the lung injuries induced by LPS, which may be via regulating the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 and KGF.     

Effect of NG-nitro-L-arginine on mitochondria in acute lung injury induced by LPS in rats

AIM: To examine the effect of nonselective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA), on mitochondria from acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharides(LPS) in rats. METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into control group, LPS injury group and L-NA treatment group. The model of acute lung injury was prepared with injection of LPS in rats. L-NA was respectively administrated through intraperitoneal injection at 3 h after injury induced by LPS. The rats were killed and the mitochondria in lung tissues were isolated by differential centrifugation. The activities of T-NOS, iNOS, ATPase, SOD and GSH-Px, and the contents of NO and MDA from mitochondria were respectively measured. The changes of ultrastructure in lung mitochondria were examined by electronic microscope after injury and L-NA treatment. RESULTS: The activities of T-NOS and iNOS were significantly increased, the activities of ATPase, SOD and GSH-Px were significantly decreased, the contents of NO and MDA were increased after acute lung injury. L-NA significantly enhanced the activities of ATPase, SOD and GSH-Px, and markedly decreased the contents of NO and MDA and the activities of T-NOS and iNOS. CONCLUSION: L-NA inhibits the activity of NOS in mitochondria, decreases the production of NO, improves mitochondria energy pump, ameliorates oxidative injury, and effectively protects lung tissue against acute lung injury induced by LPS.     

Glucocorticoid attenuates LPS-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting p38MAP kinase in rats

AIM: To examine the role of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in regulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung injury. METHODS:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups randomly: control group (n=6), LPS group (n=6 each), Dex+LPS group (n=6 each), RU486 group (n=6), RU486+LPS group (n=6 each) and RU486+Dex+LPS group (n=6 each). All groups were subjected into 1 h, 3 h, 6 h and 12 h time point subgroups after LPS administration, except of control group and RU486 group. The concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) were detected by ELISA. The histopathologic changes of lung tissues, the activation of p38MAPK and the expression of MKP-1 in lung tissue were also observed. Further, to confirm the role of GR in this model, the mortality of rats in LPS group vs RU486+LPS group and in Dex+LPS group vs RU486+Des+LPS group was compared. RESULTS: LPS induced lung injury and the secretions of TNF-α and IL-6 in BALF, which were significantly enhanced by pretreatment of RU486 (P<0.05). RU486 pretreatment also significantly increased the LPS-induced lethality (P<0.05). Dexamethasone attenuated LPS-induced lung damage, cytokine release and mortality rates, and the protective effects might be mediated by GR. Western blotting analysis showed dexamethasone inhibited the phosphorylation of p38MAPK in lung tissues by induction of MKP-1, and these actions were also GR dependent. CONCLUSION: GR plays an essential role in regulation of LPS-induced acute lung injury. Anti-inflammatory effects of hormone-activated GR may be mediated by inhibition of p38MAPK phosphorylation/activation, which is associated with the induction of MKP-1.     

Protective effect of dexmedetomidine-ulinastatin combination on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rats

AIM：To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine-ulinastatin combination on acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats. METHODS：Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: saline control group (NS group) was given saline (5 mL/kg, iv) alone; LPS group (L group) was given LPS (10 mg/kg, over 10 min); dexmedetomidine+LPS group (L+D group) was treated with the additional administration of dexmedetomidine (1 μg·kg -1·h -1) immediately after LPS injection; ulinastatin+LPS group (L+U group) was treated with the addi-tional administration of ulinastatin (50 000 U/kg, ip) immediately after LPS injection; dexmedetomidine+ulinastatin+LPS group (L+D+U group) received dexmedetomidine (1 μg·kg -1·h -1) and ulinastatin (50 000 U/kg) immediately after LPS injection. The animals were sacrificed at 6 h after LPS or NS administration. Partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO 2), pH and base excess (BE) were measured, and the lungs were removed for evaluation of histological characteristics and determining the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in lung tissues, lung wet/dry weight ratio (W/D), and albumin in brochoalveolar lavage fluid (BLAF). The pulmonary expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 was evaluated by Western blotting. RESULTS：Compared with NS group, PaO 2, pH and BE was lower in L group, which was increased by treatment with dexmedetomidine-ulinastatin combination but not by dexmedetomidine or ulinastatin alone. Compared with NS group, LPS induced marked lung histological injury, which was less pronounced in the animals treated with dexmedetomidine-ulinastatin combination but not dexmedetomidine or ulinastatin alone. The levels of IL-1β, IL-6, MIP-2, MDA, NO and PGE 2 in the lung tissues increased in L group compared with NS group, which were reduced by dexmedetomidine-ulinastatin combination but not by dexmedetomidine or ulinastatin alone. The MPO activity, MDA level and W/D increased in the lung tissues in L group compared with NS group, which was reduced by dexmedetomidine-ulinastatin combination but not by dexmedetomidine or ulinastatin alone. Compared with NS group, the albumin concentration in the BLAF increased, which was reduced by dexmedetomidine-ulinastatin combination but not by dexmedetomidine or ulinastatin alone. Compared with NS group, the expression of NF-κB p65 increased in L group, which was reduced by dexmedetomidine-ulinastatin combination but not by dexmedetomidine or ulinastatin alone.CONCLUSION：Dexmedetomidine-ulinastatin combination has a protective effect on LPS-induced acute lung injury in the rats.     

Paeoniflorin attenuates LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice

AIM: To investigate the mechanisms by which paeoniflorin (Pae) attenuates lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced acute lung injury in mice. METHODS: Male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: control,LPS, Pae+LPS, and Pae. Mice were administered intragastrically with double distilled water or Pae (20 mg/kg) once a day for 3 days. One hour after intragastrical treatment on the third day, LPS (20 mg/kg) or normal saline was injected intraperitoneally. Twelve hours after LPS challenge, the histological changes of the lung were observed, and histology score was also assessed. The myeloperoxidase (MPO),cytosolic phospholipase A₂ (cPLA₂) and phosphorylated cytosolic phospholipase A₂ (phospho-cPLA₂) in lung tissues were detected by Western blotting.RESULTS: LPS challenge resulted in acute lung injury, activated cPLA₂ and increased MPO content in lung. Pretreatment with paeoniflorin significantly attenuated lung injury induced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS. The levels of MPO and phospho-cPLA₂ in the lung tissues of the mice in Pae+LPS group were lower than those in LPS group (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with paeoniflorin remarkably reduces LPS-induced acute lung injury through inhibiting phosphorylation of cPLA₂ and decreasing neutrophil infiltration in the lung. These findings provide a new strategy for the prevention and treatment of LPS-induced acute lung injury.     

Role of macrophage and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in the pathogenesis of oleic-acid-induced rat acute lung injury

AIM: To investigate the role of infiltration of macrophages and expression of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 in the pathogenesis of oleic-acid-induced acute lung injury rats. METHODS:The rats were subjected to injection of oleic acid (oleic acid group) or saline solution (control). After injecting oleic acid or saline for 4 hours, the PaO₂ of the left heart, lung permeability index(LPI), the number of macrophage and the levels of soluble intercellular molecule-1 (sICAM-1) in the bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured. The levels of expression of ICAM-1 mRNA were evaluated by in situ hybridization and the degree of macrophage infiltration and the expression of ICAM-1 were evaluated by double staining immunocytochemistry. RESULTS:The PaO₂ of the oleic acid group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P＜0.01) and the LPI of the oleic acid group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P＜0.01). The cell number of macrophage and sICAM-1 level were significantly higher in the oleic acid group than those of the control group (P＜0.01). There were marked upregulation of ICAM-1 mRNA expression in injuried lung tissue compared with the normal lung tissue. Furthermore, the infiltrated number of macrophage and the level of ICAM-1 expression showed strong positive correlation with the lung injury parameters, PaO₂ and LPI.CONCLUSION:The infiltration of macrophage may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of progressive lung injuries induced by intravenous oleic acid injection,ICAM-1 may mediate the infiltrat ion and adhesion of macrophage in the injuried lung t issue and contribute to the development of acute lung injury.     

Vinpocetine injection attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rats

AIM:To observe the inhibitory effects of vinpocetine injection on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in the rats and to explore the underlying mechanisms.METHODS:Male Wistar rats (n=50) were randomly divided into 5 groups:control group,ALI model group,and low,medium and high doses of vinpocetine treatment groups.The rats in control group were injected with 0.9% NaCl at 5 mL/kg through femoral vein.The rats in ALI model group received LPS at 10 mg/kg through femoral vein.After injected with LPS,the rats in vinpocetine treatment groups received vinpocetine at 0.2 mg/kg,0.7 mg/kg or 1.2 mg/kg via intraperitoneal injection.The pathological changes of the lung tissues were observed under microscope with HE staining.The cell apoptosis in the lung tissues was detected by TUNEL staining.Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was measured by the method of spectrophotometry.The protein expression of NF-κB,ICAM-1,VCAM-1,Bax and Bcl-2 was determined by Western blot.RESULTS:Compared with ALI group,administration of vinpocetine significantly attenuated the structural injury of the lung and the infiltration of inflammatory cells.Moreover,vinpocetine decreased cell apoptosis and MPO activity in the lung tissues of ALI rats.In addition,the protein expression of NF-κB,ICAM-1,VCAM-1 and Bax was inhibited after vinpocetin treatment,whereas Bcl-2 expression was increased.CONCLUSION:Vinpocetine attenuates LPS-lung injury by reducing MPO activity and regulating NF-κB,ICAM-1,VCAM-1,Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression.     

Panaxadiol saponins and dexamethasone have similar actions on LPS-induced AKI in mice

AIM：To investigate whether the panaxadiol saponins (PDS) and dexamethasone (DEX) have similar effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). METHODS：C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control mice received intraperitoneal injection of normal saline; in LPS group, the mice were subjected to intraperitoneal injection of LPS (10 mg/kg); in PDS + LPS group and DEX + LPS group, the mice were injected intraperitoneally with PDS (25.0 mg/kg) and DEX(2.5 mg/kg) 1 h before LPS injection, respectively. The blood was collected from the hearts, and the kidneys were collected for the biochemical and Western blotting analysis 12 h after LPS injection. RESULTS：LPS induced AKI, evidenced by markedly increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (CREA) contents compared with control group (P<0.01). However, serum contents of CREA and BUN obviously reduced in PDS + LPS group and DEX + LPS groups compared with LPS group (P<0.05). Both PDS and DEX decreased the production of TNF-α and IL-6 by inhibiting renal NF-κB signaling activation. PDS and DEX also down-regulated the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, up-regulated the expression of manganese superoxide dismutase and reduced oxidative stress in the kidneys of LPS-challenged mice. In addition, treatment with PDS and DEX significantly increased the nuclear glucocorticoid receptor in the kidneys of LPS-treated mice. CONCLUSION：PDS and DEX have inhibitory effects on LPS-induced AKI mice. However, it is unclear whether PDS reduces LPS-induced AKI via direct action on glucocorticoid receptor.     

Role of carbon monoxide in CCK-8 ameliorating acute lung injury induced by LPS

AIM: To study the role of carbon monoxide (CO) in the mechanism of cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8) for attenuation of acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODS: Fifty-six adult male rats were randomly divided into seven groups: control group, LPS group, LPS+ZnPP (a specific inhibitor of HO-1) group, LPS+Hemin (Hm， CO donor) group, CCK-8+LPS group, CCK-8+LPS+ZnPP group and CCK-8 group (n=8 for each). Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed 2 h, 6 h and 12 h respectively after treatments. The numbers of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was detected. The mortality of rats and the structure of lung tissues were observed. MDA and CO contents in lung tissues were also measured. RESULTS: The mortalities of rats were both zero 2 h and 6 h after agent administration. The mortality of rats was higher than control group 12 h after LPS administration. The mortality of rats in LPS+Hm and CCK-8+LPS group were lower than that in LPS group, and its in LPS+ZnPP and CCK-8+LPS+ZnPP group were lower than that in LPS and CCK-8+LPS group, respectively. Lung injury was observed in LPS group. At the same time the number of PMN, MDA and CO content were higher than those in control group. The degree of lung injury, PMN numbers and MDA content were lower, while CO content in LPS+Hm and CCK-8+LPS group were higher than those in LPS group. However, the degree of lung injury, PMN number and MDA content were higher, CO content were lower in LPS+ZnPP and CCK-8+LPS+ZnPP group than those in LPS and CCK-8+LPS group, respectively. CONCLUSION: CCK-8 attenuates the LPS-induced acute lunginjury by means of anti-oxidation and inhibition of PMN aggregation, which are both mediated by CO.     

Effects of caveolin-1 scaffolding domain peptide on LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice

AIM: To investigate the effects of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) scaffolding domain peptide, cavtratin, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse acute lung injury and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) activity. METHODS: Adult male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=8 to 10):control, Antennapedia internalization sequence (AP), LPS, LPS+hemin, LPS+ hemin+cavtratin and LPS+hemin+cavtratin+zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP) groups. After LPS administration for 24 h, the lung pathological changes, the wet/dry weight (W/D) ratio of lung tissues, total cell number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum lactate dehydrogenase activity were measured. The co-localization of HO-1 and Cav-1 was displayed by immunofluorescence, and the HO-1 activity were detected. The mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1 and iNOS was detected by real-time PCR. RESULTS: The mice in LPS+hemin+cavtratin group had the decreased interaction between HO-1 and Cav-1, and the increased HO-1 activity compare with LPS group (P<0.05). Compared with LPS group, the pulmonary damage was attenuated in LPS+hemin+cavtratin group, and the injury indexes, including W/D ratio, total cell number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lactate dehydrogenase activity in the serum, and the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines all decreased (P<0.05). HO-1 activity inhibitor ZnPP abolished the above protective effect of cavtratin on the lung tissues with LPS-induced acute lung injury. CONCLUSION: Cavtratin has beneficial effects on the lung with LPS-induced acute injury by restoring the HO-1 activity.     

Effects of lipopolysaccharide on aquaporin-1 expression and function in rat lung microvessel endothelial cells

AIM: To determine if aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) expression and function is influenced after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in rat lung microvessel endothelial cells and to investigate the mechanisms of lung fluid abnormal metabolism in acute lung injury. METHODS: LPS at different concentrations (100 μg/L, 1 mg/L or 10 mg/L) was used to stimulate cultivated rat lung microvessel endothelial cells in vitro at different stimulatory times (4 h, 12 h or 24 h), respectively. Tritium water permeation was conducted for determining the intracellular signal intensity in rat lung microvessel endothelial cells. The RT-PCR technique was applied for the assay of the expression of AQP-1 mRNA. RESULTS: The signal intensity of intracellular tritium water in the LPS stimulation group was less than that in normal control significantly. Compared with the normal control group (P<0.01), there was obvious decrease in the expression of AQP-1 mRNA in LPS stimulation groups. CONCLUSION: The decreased expression of AQP-1 mRNA and the weaken function of transporting water suggest that AQP-1 may play a major role in abnormal fluid transportation in acute injured lung.     

Protective role of endogenous hydrogen sulfide in cholecystokinin octapeptid against acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide

AIM: To explore the role of endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in the mechanism of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) to alleviate acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODS: Eighty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups: control, LPS (instilled intratracheally to reproduce the model of ALI), NaHS (H₂S donor) +LPS, propargylglycine ［inhibitor of cysathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), PPG］+LPS, CCK-8+LPS, PPG+CCK-8+LPS and CCK-8 group. Animals were sacrificed at 4 h and 8 h after agent instillation. The wet and dry ratio (W/D) of the lung weight was measured and calculated. Morphological changes of lung tissues were observed. H₂S concentration in plasma, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and CSE activities in the lung were determined. Furthermore, the level of P-selectin of lung tissue was measured by radioimmunoassay, the CSE mRNA expression in the lung was detected by RT-PCR, and the protein content in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was detected. RESULTS: Compared with control, severe injury of lung tissues and increase in W/D, protein content in BALF, MDA content, MPO activity and P-selectin level in the lung were observed in rats treated with LPS. LPS also lead to a drop in plasma H₂S concentration, lung CSE activity and CSE mRNA expression. Administration of NaHS before LPS could attenuate the changes induced by LPS, while H₂S concentration, CSE activity and CSE mRNA expression were higher than those in LPS group. However, pre-treatment with PPG exacerbated the lung injury induced by LPS, H₂S concentration, CSE activity and CSE mRNA expression were lower than those in LPS and CCK-8 +LPS group, respectively. CONCLUSION: CCK-8 attenuates LPS-induced acute lung injury by means of anti-oxidation and inhibition of PMN adhesion and aggregation, both of which are mediated by endogenous H₂S.