Role of heme oxygenase in cholecystokinin octopeptide ameliorating acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide

AIM: To study the role of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 in the mechanism of cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8) for attenuation of acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).METHODS: Adult male rats were randomly divided into five groups: control group,LPS group,CCK-8+LPS group,LPS+ Hm (hemin,HO-1 donor) group and LPS+ZnPP (zinc protoporphyrin,specific inhibitor of HO-1) group.PMN number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF),the structure of the lung,MDA content,HO-1 activity,the expressions of HO-1 mRNA and protein in the lung were detected respectively.RESULTS: The lung injury in LPS group was observed,at the same time the numbers of PMN,the content of MDA,the activity and the expression of HO-1 were all higher than those in control group (all P<0.05).The degree of lung injury,PMN numbers and MDA content were lower,while the activity and the expression of HO-1 in CCK-8+LPS and LPS+Hm group were higher than those in LPS group (all P<0.05).However,the degree of lung injury,PMN numbers and MDA content were higher,the activity and the expression of HO-1 were lower in LPS+ZnPP than those in LPS group respectively (all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: CCK-8 attenuates the LPS-induced ALI by means of anti-oxidation and inhibits PMN aggregation,which are both mediated by HO-1 partly.     

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.     

Mechanism of exogenous nitric oxide in attenuating endotoxin-induced increase of rat pulmonary microvascular permeability

AIM and METHODS:The animal model of acute lung injury (ALI) caused by intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharides(LPS) in vivo and human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) in vitro were used to study the effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), nitric oxide (NO) donor, on LPS-induced PMN accumulation, microvascular permeability and PMN apoptosis. RESULTS:①In vivo, PMN accumulation in lung, the protein content in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the Evans blue dye and monastral blue dye extravasation in lung tissue of LPS group were markedly higher than those of both sham operation group and LPS+SNP group. ②In vitro, the apoptotic percentage of SNP group was much higher than that of control group, while compared with LPS group, SNP+LPS group has significantly higher apoptotic percentage. CONCLUSIONS:SNP intratracheal instillation attenuated LPS-induced microvascular permeability and alleviated ALI. PMN apoptosis induced by SNP may be one of the potential mechanisms underlying the decrease of PMN accumulation in lung tissue.     

Cytokine levels and the discrepancy of dexamethasone intervening in ALI rats induced by hydrochloric acid and lipopolysaccharide

AIM: To explore the cytokines level and the discrepancy of reaction to dexamethasone (Dex) in ALI rats induced by hydrochloric acid (HCl) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODS: Ninety-six SD rats were divided into six groups at random (n=16 in each group): NS group, HCl group, LPS group, NS+Dex group, HCl+Dex group and LPS+Dex group. Every group was divided into two subgroups: the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) subgroup and no bronchoalveolar lavage (NBAL) subgroup. The total leukocytes, PMN%, macrophage%, lymphocyte%, total protein in BALF and the wet/dry of the lung weight were measured. The concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4 and IL-10 in serum and BALF in every group were compared. RESULTS: (1) In the groups of LPS and HCl, the total leukocytes, PMN numbers, the protein concentration in the BALF and W/D were higher than those in control group (P<0.05). Compared to LPS groups, the percentage of macrophage increased in LPS+Dex group (P<0.05). (2) In serum and BALF of both LPS group and HCl group, the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-10 were higher than those in the control (P<0.01). The content of IL-1β in serum of all the groups was undetected. Compared to LPS groups, the concentrations of TNF-α and that of IL-1β decreased in LPS+Dex group (P<0.05). The concentration of IL-10 in LPS+Dex group was higher than that in LPS group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The permeability and the inflammatory cytokines in these two models were not consistent. Glucocorticoids play an effective role for resisting ALI induced by LPS but not HCl.     

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.     

Effect of mesenteric lymph duct ligation on actue lung injury in rats

AIM：To explore the effect of mesenteric lymph duct ligation against actue lung injury (ALI) in rats.METHODS：45 Wistar rats were divided into three groups：the ligation group,the non-ligation group and sham operated group,and the two-hit model was established by hemorrhage and LPS injection.Mesenteric lymph was diverted by ligating mesenteric lymph duct in ligation group.All rats facilitated blood withdrawal for blood sample to arterial gas analysis after 24 hours.Then the WBC,NO,NOS,MDA,SOD and lung permeability index (LPI) were determined in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF),the MPO and ATPase activity were determined in lung homogenate.The ultrastructure was also observed.RESULTS：After two-hit,the PaCO2,the total cells and PMN,the NO2-/NO3-,NOS and MDA content in BALF and MPO activity in lung homogenate and LPI in non-ligation group were significantly increased than those in sham operated group.PaO2 and pH in arterial blood,SOD in BALF and the ATPase in lung homogenate were significantly lower (P<0.01 or P<0.05).The total cells and PMN,MDA,NO2-/NO3- in BALF,LPI in ligation group were significantly increased than those in sham operated group,and SOD in BALF was significantly lower (P<0.01 or P<0.05).The pH and PaO2 in arterial blood,the ATPase in lung homogenate in ligation group were significantly increased than those in non-ligation group,and the PaCO2,the total cells,PMN,NO2-/NO3-,NOS,MDA in BALF,LPI,and MPO in lung homogenate in ligation group were significantly lower than those in non-ligation group (P<0.01 or P<0.05).The injury of pulmonary vascular endothelium in ligation group was lighter than that in non-ligation group.CONCLUSION：The ligation of mesenteric lymph duct attenuates the ALI of rats.Mesenteric lymph might play an important role in the pathogenesis of ALI.     

Role of sulfur dioxide in acute lung injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion of hind limbs in rats

AIM：To explore the role of endogenous and exogenous sulfur dioxide(SO2) in acute lung injury(ALI) induced by ischemia-reperfusion(IR) of limbs in rats. METHODS：The rat model of ALI was induced by ischemia and reperfusion of the hind limbs using a tourniquet. The rats(n=96) were randomly divided into 6 groups: sham, IR, sham+SO2, sham+hydroxamate(HDX), IR+SO2 and IR+HDX. The morphological changes of the lung tissues were observed under light microscope. Meanwhile, polymorphonuclear neutrophils(PMN) in alveolar septum, lung coefficient, lung levels of malondialdehyde(MDA) and intercellular adhesion molecule(ICAM)-1, serum tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α and interleukin(IL)-1, the content of SO2 and the activity of aspartate aminotransferase(AST) in the lung tissues, and 24 h survival rate of the rats were measured. RESULTS：IR of the rat limbs resulted in the damage of the lung tissues, and the increases in PMN in alveolar septum, lung coefficient, the lung levels of MDA and ICAM-1 and the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1 were also observed with the reductions of SO2 content and AST activity. Pretreatment with SO2 donor Na2SO3/NaHSO3 alleviated the changes of the indicators above. HDX, an inhibitor of SO2-producing enzymes, aggravated the changes above. CONCLUSION：Down-regulation of AST/SO2 pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of limb IR-induced ALI. Administration of exogenous SO2 might attenuate lung injury through anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation.     

Effects of neutrophil extracellular traps on acute lung injury in neonatal rats

AIMTo investigate the role of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in neonatal rats with acute lung injury (ALI). METHODSThirty 7-day-old SD rats were randomly divided into normal saline control group, ALI group and ALI+deoxyribonuclease (Dnase) group (each n=10). The rats in ALI group were intraperitoneally injected with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) at 20 mg/kg, and the rats in ALI+Dnase group were intraperitoneally injected with Dnase at 5 mg/kg after LPS injection. After 6 h, the rats were anesthetized with chloral hydrate, bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected, and the content of cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) in BALF was detected by fluorescence microarray. The right lung tissues were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, and the morphological structure of the lung tissues were observed by HE staining. The content of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the left lung homogenate was measured by ELISA. Immunofluorescence and Western blot were used to detect the production of citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the rat lung tissues. RESULTSCompared with control group, the levels of cf-DNA, CitH3, MPO, IL-6 and TNF-α in lung tissues of neonatal rats in ALI group and ALI+Dnase group were all increased (P<0.05), and severe inflammatory infiltration in the lung tissues was observed. Compared with ALI group, the levels of cf-DNA, CitH3, MPO, IL-6 and TNF-α in ALI+Dnase group were decreased (P<0.05), and the inflammatory infiltration was attenuated. CONCLUSION In neonatal rats with ALI, the level of NETs is an important indicator of lung tissue injury, and NETs may be a new target for the treatment of neonatal ALI.     

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.     

Protective effect of HSF1 on mice with LPS-induced acute lung injury and screening of relevant differentially-expressed genes

AIM: To study the protective effect of heat shock factor1 (HSF1) on the mice with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI), and to screen the relevant differentially-expressed genes. METHODS: ALI mouse model was established by LPS intracheal instillation. The macroscopic and pathological changes of the lung tissue were observed, and the concentrations of total protein, TNF-α, IL-β, IL-6 and VEGF in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were analyzed. Differentially-expressed genes in the lung tissues of HSF1^+/+ mice and HSF1^-/- mice with ALI induced by LPS were screened by gene chips. The key gene was verified by real-time qPCR. RESULTS: The macroscopic and pathological changes of the lung injury in HSF1^-/-+LPS mice were more serious than those in HSF1^+/++LPS mice. The concentrations of total protein, VEGF, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the BALF of HSF1^-/-+LPS mice were significantly higher than those of HSF1^+/++LPS mice (P<0.05). Compared with the HSF1^+/+ mice, a total of 918 differentially-expressed genes were indentified in the HSF1^-/- mice, among which the expression levels of 65 genes had obvious diffe-rence, with 28 genes up-regulated, including Atg7, ccr1, cxcr2, Tbl1xr1, Mmp9, Pparg, Plcb2, Arrb2, Cntn1, Col4a6, etc, and 37 genes down-regulated, including Fgfr1, Fgfr2, Map4k4, Ddx58, Tfg, Stat3, Smad4, Lamc1, Sdc3, etc. The results of real-time qPCR showed that the mRNA level of CXCR2 in HSF1^-/-+ LPS mice was significantly higher than that in HSF1^+/++ LPS mice, which was consistent with the results of gene chips. CONCLUSION: HSF1 has protective effect on the mice with LPS-induced ALI. CXCR2 may be involved in the protective effect of HSF1 on this process.     

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.     

Protective effect of Auricularia auricular-judae polysaccharide on pulmonary tissues of rats with LPS-induced acute lung injury

AIM: To investigate the effects of Auricularia auricular-judae polysaccharide(AAP) on pulmonary tissues of rats with LPS-induced acute lung injury(ALI) and its mechanisms.METHODS: Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, LPS group,low-dose AAP group, middle-dose AAP group, high-dose APP group, and dexamethasone group. The rats were injected with LPS(8 mg/kg, ip) to induce ALI. The rats in the AAP groups were treated with AAP for 7 d before the induction of ALI. The protein concentration in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) was measured. The lung edema degree was measured by detecting the wet/dry weight ratio. The myeloper-oxidase(MPO), total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC), total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD), nitric oxide synthase(NOS) and malondialdehyde(MDA) levels were determined. The pathological changes of the lung tissues were evaluated by HE staining.RESULTS: Treatment with AAP significantly improved LPS-induced lung pathological changes, attenuated the protein concentration in the BALF and wet/dry weight ratio, inhibited the activities of MPO and NOS, reduced MDA level and increased the activities of T-AOC and T-SOD.CONCLUSION: AAP protects against LPS-induced acute lung injury in rats.     

Role of p38 MAPK-HSP27 signaling pathway in rat acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide

AIM: To observe the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK)-heat-shock protein 27 (HSP27) signaling pathway in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in rats. METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group, ALI group and ALI+SB203580 group. After the experimental model was established, the rats were sacrificed. The pathological changes of the lung and the changes of F-actin and G-actin in the endothelial cells were observed. The ratio of wet weight to dry weight (W/D) of the lung tissues was measured. The protein levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected. The levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in serum and BALF were tested. The concentrations of p-p38 and p-HSP27 in the lung were determined. RESULTS: In ALI group, the protein levels in BALF and W/D ratio of the lung increased significantly at 2 h. The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in serum and BALF began to increase at 2 h, which had significant difference as compared with control group. Aleolar epithelial swelling, alveolar walls widening, alveolar interstitial and cavity edema, and the exudation of alveolar inflammation cells, red blood cells and protein were observed in ALI group. The protein levels in BALF and W/D ratio of the lung in ALI+SB203580 group were much less than those in ALI group. The exudation of alveolar inflammation cells, red blood cells and protein, and the interstitial and alveolar edema in ALI+SB203580 group alleviated as compared with ALI group. The expression of p-p38 MAPK and p-HSP27 in the lung at 2 h in ALI group was higher than that in control group. F-actin expression in ALI group obviously increased than that in control group at time points of 0 h and 8 h. Compared with ALI group, the expression of p-HSP27 and F-actin in ALI+SB203580 group was reduced. CONCLUSION: Lipopolysaccharide activates p38 MAPK-HSP27 signaling pathway and induces lung injury. Blockage of p38 MAPK-HSP27 signaling pathway may reduce lung injury.     

Role of hydrogen sulfide in acute lung injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion of hind limbs in rats

AIM: To explore the role of endogenous and exogenous hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in acute lung injury (ALI) induced by ischmia-reperfusion (IR) of hind limbs in rats.METHODS: A Sprague-Dawley rat model of acute lung injury was induced by ischemia of the hind limbs for 4 h and reperfusion for another 4 h. The rats (n=120) were randomly divided into 4 groups: control, IR, NaHS (H₂S donor)+IR, and propargylglycine +IR. The animals were sacrificed after reperfusion. Lung weight/body weight ratio (LW/BW) was measured and calculated. Morphological changes of the lung tissues were observed. The concentrations of H₂S, nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) in plasma were tested. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA), the activity of CSE, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and hemeoxygenase (HO) in the lungs were determined. The polymorpho-nuclear neutrophils(PMN) and protein content in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) were also measured. The correlation of H₂S content with the above indices was analyzed.RESULTS: Compared with control group, severe injuries of the lung tissues, raised LW/BW, MDA concentration, PMN and protein contents in BALF were observed in IR group. Limb IR also made a drop in the concentration of plasma H₂S and the activity of lung CSE, while the activity of iNOS and HO in the lung tissues and the levels of plasma NO and CO increased. Administration of NaHS before IR attenuated the changes induced by IR, while pre-administration of PPG exacerbated the IR injuries and increased the plasma NO level and lung iNOS activity. The H₂S content was positively correlated with CSE activity, CO content and HO-1 activity (P<0.01), and negatively correlated with the other indices (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Down-regulation of H₂S/CSE is involved in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury induced by IR. Endogenous and exogenous H₂S protects against lung injuries. The anti-injury effects of H₂S are related with its anti-oxidative activity to attenuate the inflammatory over-reactions in the lung induced by PMN. Down-regulation of NO/iNOS system and up-regulation of CO/HO-1 system by H₂S are also involved in the process of anti-injury to ALI.     

Antagonistic effect of bilirulin on acute lung injury induced by LPS in rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of bilirubin on acute lung injury (ALI) and the mechanism. METHODS: 30 male Wistar rats were divided into normal group, ALI group and bilirubin treatment group. Lung specimens were examined by histopathological technique. Lung index (LI) and lung permeability index (LPI) were measured. Moreover, white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil percentage (PMN%) and the content of protein (Pr) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), as well as the contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malonaldehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the lung homogenate were determined. RESULTS: (1) In ALI group: LI, WBC count, PMN%, Pr and LPI increased significantly compared with normal group (P<0.01). In bilirubin treatment group, all the values determined decreased compared with ALI group (P<0.01; P<0.05). No notable discrepancy between bilirubin treatment group and normal group (P>0.05) was observed. (2) In ALI group, the content of MDA was significantly higher (P<0.01), but the contents of SOD and GSH-Px were significantly lower than those in normal group (P<0.01). In bilirubin treatment group, the content of MDA decreased significantly (P<0.01) but the contents of SOD and GSH-Px increased significantly (P<0.01; P<0.05) compared with ALI group. No notable discrepancy between bilirubin treatment group and normal group was observed (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Bilirubin relieves ALI induced by LPS in rats via antioxidation.     

Sodium nitrite reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice

AIM: To investigate the effect of sodium nitrite (SN) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and its underlying mechanism in mice. METHODS: All male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were randomly divided into five groups: Control group; LPS group; and SN 4.8 nmol/L, SN 48 nmol/L, SN 480 nmol/L (ip) groups. Lung wet weight/dry weight (W/D) ratio and permeability were detected. Neutrophil infiltration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was measured by cel1 counting and morphological changes in lung tissues were assayed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The 1evels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in lung were detected. Nitric oxide (NO) level and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in lung were measured according to the specification. RESULTS: Compared to lung in LPS-induced ALI mice, at doses of 4.8 nmol/L and 48 nmol/L, not 480 nmol/L, SN markedly decreased the lung W/D ratio, total leukocyte number and neutrophil percentage in the BALF, lung permeability, and TNF-α/IL-10 ratio, in lung. SN at dose of 480 nmol/L markedly increased the lung NO level compared to control group. In addition, SN decreased the total NOS and inducible NOS (iNOS) activities compared to LPS-induced ALI mice. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the protective effect of SN against LPS-induced ALI in mice is associated with the low dose SN-induced NO, as well as the subsequent decrease in iNOS activity and TNF-α/IL-10 ratio.     

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.     

Relationship of p38MAPK,NF-κB and HO-1 in LPS-induced acute lung injury in rats

AIM: To investigate the relationship of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38MAPK), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in acute lung injury (ALI) in rats.METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups (n=8) at random: control group or normal saline group (NS group), lipopolysaccharide group (LPS group), Hemin (inducer of HO-1)+LPS group, ZnPPIX (inhibitor of HO-1)+LPS group and SB203580 (inhibitor of p38MAPK)+LPS group (SB+LPS group). Six hours after endotracheal instillation of LPS or NS, the ratio of neutrophils and the protein contents in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of right lung, the ratio of wet/dry weight (W/D) of the superior lobe of right lung, and arterial blood gas analysis (ABG) were examined. The protein levels of p38MAPK and NF-κB in the lower lobe of right lung were detected by Western blotting. The protein expression of HO-1 in the middle lobe of right lung was measured by the method of immunohistochemisty. The structure of the lung was evaluated under light microscope. RESULTS: Compared with NS group, the ratio of neutrophils and protein contents in BALF, the ratio of W/D, the protein levels of HO-1, p38MAPK and NF-κB were obviously higher, and arterial oxygen pressure (PaO₂), partial pressure of carbon dioxide in artery (PaCO₂) and bicarbonate content (HCO^-₃) were significantly lower in LPS group, Hemin+LPS group, ZnPPIX+LPS group and SB+LPS group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The ratio of neutrophils and proteins in BALF, the ratio of W/D, the protein levels of p38MAPK and NF-κB were significantly lower, the protein level of HO-1 was obviously higher in Hemin+LPS group and SB+LPS group than those in LPS group (P<0.05), while the changes of the parameters in ZnPPIX+LPS group were in a contrary manner (P<0.05). No significant difference of the parameters between Hemin+LPS group and SB+LPS group (P>0.05) was found. The structures of the lung tissues in LPS group were severely damaged and even severer damages were observed in ZnPPIX+LPS group. The structural changes of the lung tissues in Hemin+LPS group and SB+LPS group were slighter. CONCLUSION: p38MAPK/NF-κB and HO-1 are inhibited by each other and the effects of them are independent on the acute lung injury.     

Protective effect of recombinant human serum albumin-thioredoxin fusion protein on mice with acute lung injury induced by influenza virus

AIM To investigate the protective effect of recombinant human serum albumin (HSA)-thioredox?in (Trx) fusion protein (HSA-Trx) on mice with acute lung injury (ALI) induced by influenza virus infection. METH?ODS: The recombinant HAS-Trx fusion protein was generated by Pichia pastoris expression system. ICR mice were used to establish the animal model of ALI induced by PR8 (H1N1) influenza virus, and the experimental mice were divided into healthy control group, ALI group, ALI+Trx group and ALI+HSA-Trx group, with 10 mice in each group. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in each group was collected, the total number of cells and the number of alveolar neutrophils were determined, the protein concentration was measured by Coomassie brilliant blue solution method, and the interferon-γ (IFN-γ) content in BALF was detected by ELISA. The lung tissues were collected for hematoxylin and eosin staining. The inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and 3-nitrotyrosine (NO₂-Tyr) in lung tissues were detected by immunofluorescence method. Peroxide concentration in plasma was evaluated using a CR2000RC analyzer. RESULTS HSA-Trx treatment significantly reduced the total number of cells, neutrophils and total protein in BALF of ALI mice (P<0.05), and decreased the levels of 8-OHdG, NO₂-Tyr in lung tissue and peroxide in plasma (P<0.05). However, it has no significant inhibitory effect on iNOS and IFN-γ expression (P>0.05). CONCLUSION HSA-Trx inhibits inflammatory response and excessive production of nitric oxide in the lung, thus protecting influ?enza virus-induced ALI mice.