Tumor necrosis factor induced acute lung leak in rats: Less than with interleukin-1

Although local tumor necrosis factor- (TNF) release by alveolar macrophages has been postulated to contribute to the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the effects of instilling TNF intratracheally on the development of acute lung leak are not known. Our goal was to determine the effect of intratracheally administered TNF on the development of acute lung leak in rats. We found that rats given TNF (500 ng) 5 hours previously intratracheally had increased (p<0.05) lung lavage cytokine induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) concentrations, lung lavage neutrophils, lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and lung leak compared to saline-treated control rats. However, all of the responses following TNF instillation were much lower than the responses to interleukin-1 (IL-1) instillation. For example, instilling 50 ng of IL-1 caused 6.4 times the increases in lung lavage CINC concentrations, 15.5 times the increase in lung lavage neutrophils, 3.6 times the increase in lung MPO activity and 3.8 times the increase in lung leak caused by giving 500 ng of TNF intratracheally. Cotreatment with TNF-binding protein decreased both lung MPO and lung leak increases in rats given TNF intratracheally. These observations suggest that locally elevated levels of TNF may induce lung neutrophil recruitment and acute lung leak but that IL-1 is a much more potent agent than TNF in causing lung neutrophil accumulation and lung leak.Parker B. Francis Fellow in Pulmonary Research.     

Interleukin-1 stimulates rapid release of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) in rat lungs

We found that intratracheal insufflation of interleukin-1 (IL-1) in rats rapidly increased lung lavage cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) concentrations, lung tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and lung lavage neutrophil counts, and that CINC elevation preceded the migration of neutrophils into the lung. Further, we found that bolus CINC insufflation increased CINC concentrations in plasma, and we found that alveolar macrophages (AM) in lung tissue selections or AM recovered by lavage from rats given IL-1 intratracheally stained positively for CINC by immunohistochemistry. In addition, incubating rat AM with increasing doses of IL-1 in vitro progressively increased CINC concentrations in the culture medium. Our results suggest that the potent neutrophil chemoattractant CINC is rapidly produced and released by rat AM following challenge with IL-1 in vivo or in vitro, and support the hypothesis that CINC is an important mediator in the development of pulmonary inflammation in the rat.Parker B. Francis Fellow in Pulmonary Research.     

Interleukin-1β-induced neutrophil recruitment and acute lung injury in hamsters

Administering recombinant interleukin-1 (IL-1) intratracheally caused lung neutrophil accumulation and lung injury in hamsters. The percentage of leukocytes that were neutrophils increased progressively in lavages from lungs of hamsters given 25, 50, or 100 ng IL-1 intratracheally 2 h before. Lung injury, reflected by increased lung lavage protein concentrations and lung lavage hemoglobin concentrations, increased 2 h after administering 100 ng IL-1. Lung injury, reflected by lung wet weight/body weight ratios, followed similar patterns, with significant increases occurring 2 h after insufflating 50 or 100 ng IL-1. Our results indicate that increased concentrations of IL-1 in lung airways can cause neutrophil recruitment and lung injury in hamsters. This mechanism may contribute to the development of lung neutrophil accumulation and lung injury that characterizes ARDS patients who have increased airway levels of IL-1.     

IL-10抗内毒素气管内滴注致急性肺损伤作用的实验研究关

目的:探讨中性粒细胞(PMN)在急性肺损伤(ALI)发生中的作用及IL-10对ALI的拮抗作用。方法: 用LPS(100 μg/只)或LPS+IL-10(1 μg/只)向SD大鼠气管内滴注复制ALI模型,检测支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中PMN数目、蛋白质及丙二醛(MDA)含量,并进行组织学观察。结果: LPS气管内滴注可引起BALF中PMN数目明显增加,伴有蛋白质及MDA含量的增高,光镜观察显示肺组织间隙弥漫性炎细胞浸润。LPS+IL-10组则BALF中PMN数目、蛋白质及MDA含量显著低于LPS组,肺组织中PMN浸润程度也明显轻。结论: PMN在ALI发病中具有重要作用。IL-10能够拮抗LPS所致ALI的发生。     

Inhibition of SOCs Attenuates Acute Lung Injury Induced by Severe Acute Pancreatitis in Rats and PMVECs Injury Induced by Lipopolysaccharide

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a critical complication of the severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), characterized by increased pulmonary permeability with high mortality. Pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs) injury and apoptosis play a key role in ALI. Previous studies indicated that store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) could regulate a variety of cellular processes. The present study was to investigate the effects of SOCE inhibition on ALI induced by SAP in Sprague-Dawley rats, and PMVECs injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Rat model of SAP-associated ALI were established by the retrograde infusion of sodium deoxycholate. Serum levels of amylase, TNF-α, and IL-6, histological changes, water content of the lung, oxygenation index, and ultrastructural changes of PMVECs were examined in ALI rats with or without store-operated Ca²⁺ channels (SOCs) pharmacological inhibitor (2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, 2-APB) pretreatment. For in vitro studies, PMVECs were transiently transfected with or without small interfering RNA (siRNA) against calcium release-activated calcium channel protein1 (Orai1) and stromal interaction molecule1 (STIM1), the two main molecular constituents of SOCs, then exposed to LPS. The viability of PMVECs was determined. The expression of STIM1, Orai1, Bax, and caspase3, both in lung tissue and in PMVECs, were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR and western blot. Administration of sodium deoxycholate upregulated the expression of SOCs proteins in lung tissue. Similarly, the SOCs proteins were increased in PMVECs induced by LPS. 2-APB reduced the serum levels of amylase, TNF-α, and IL-6, and attenuated lung water content and histological findings. In addition, the decreased oxygenation index and ultrastructural damage in PMVECs associated with SAP were ameliorated after administration of 2-APB. Knockdown of STIM1 and Orai1 inhibited LPS-induced PMVECs death. Furthermore, blockade of SOCE significantly suppressed Orai1, STIM1, Bax, and caspase3 expression both in vivo and in vitro. These results suggest that SOCE may play a critical role in SAP-associated ALI and the protective effects of inhibition of SOCs could be mediated, at least partially, by restraining mitochondrial associated apoptosis of PMVECs.     

Inhibition of PKR ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury by suppressing NF-κB pathway in mice

Acute lung injury (ALI) is characterized by dramatic lung inflammation and alveolar epithelial cell death. Although protein kinase R (PKR) (double-stranded RNA-activated serine/threonine kinase) has been implicated in inflammatory response to bacterial cell wall components, whether it plays roles in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI remains unclear. This study was aimed to reveal whether and how PKR was involved in LPS-induced ALI pathology and the potential effects of its specific inhibitor, C16 (C₁₃H₈N₄OS). During the experiment, mice received C16 (100 or 500 ug/kg) intraperitoneally 1?h before intratracheal LPS instillation. Then, whole lung lavage was collected for analysis of total protein levels and proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6. The lungs were tested for Western blot, transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) stain and immunohistochemistry. Results showed that PKR phosphorylation increased significantly after LPS instillation. Furthermore, PKR specific inhibition attenuated LPS-induced lung injury (hematoxylin and eosin stain), reduced lung protein permeability (total protein levels in whole lung lavage) and suppressed proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) and lung apoptosis (TUNEL stain and caspase3 activation). Moreover, mechanism-study showed that C16 significantly suppressed I kappa B kinase (IKK)/I kappa B alpha (IκBα)/NF-κB signaling pathway after LPS challenge. These findings suggested that PKR inhibition ameliorated LPS-induced lung inflammation and apoptosis in mice by suppressing NF-κB signaling pathway.     

Quercetin protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rats through suppression of inflammation and oxidative stress

Introduction

Acute lung injury (ALI) is an acute inflammatory disease characterized by excess production of inflammatory factors in lung tissue. Quercetin, a herbal flavonoid, exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. This study was performed to assess the effects of quercetin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI.

Material and methods

Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: the control group (saline alone), the LPS group challenged with LPS (Escherichia coli 026:B6; 100 µg/kg), and the quercetin group pretreated with quercetin (50 mg/kg, by gavage) 1 h before LPS challenge. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples and lung tissues were collected 6 h after LPS administration. Histopathological and biochemical parameters were measured.

Results

The LPS treatment led to increased alveolar wall thickening and cellular infiltration in the lung, which was markedly prevented by quercetin pretreatment. Moreover, quercetin significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated the increase in the BALF protein level and neutrophil count and lung wet/dry weight ratio and myeloperoxidase activity in LPS-challenged rats. The LPS exposure evoked a 4- to 5-fold rise in BALF levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6, which was significantly (p < 0.05) counteracted by quercetin pretreatment. Additionally, quercetin significantly (p < 0.05) suppressed the malondialdehyde level and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in the lung of LPS-treated rats.

Conclusions

Quercetin pretreatment effectively ameliorates LPS-induced ALI, largely through suppression of inflammation and oxidative stress, and may thus have therapeutic potential in the prevention of this disease.     

地塞米松对大鼠内毒素急性肺损伤肺泡灌洗液中白细胞介素-1β和肿瘤坏死因子-α含量的影响

目的 探讨地塞米松对大鼠内毒素（LPS）急性肺损伤（ALI）肺泡灌洗液中白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）和肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）含量的影响.方法 将48只雄性SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、急性肺损伤组（内毒素ALI模型组）、地塞米松干预组,每组16只.每组大鼠依据不同的观察时间点（以大鼠气管内滴注LPS的时刻为起始时刻后的1、2、4、8 h 4个时间点）分为4个亚组（n=4）.给予正常对照组气管内滴注0.9%氯化钠溶液 0.3 mL,10 min后股静脉注射0.9%氯化钠溶液 1 mL;急性肺损伤组气管内滴注LPS 0.2 mg/kg（溶于0.3 mL 0.9%氯化钠溶液）,10 min后股静脉注射0.9%氯化钠溶液 1 mL;地塞米松干预组气管内滴注LPS 0.2 mg/kg,10 min后股静脉注射地塞米松注射液3 mg/kg（溶于1 mL 0.9%氯化钠溶液）.各组于1、2、 4、8 h 4个时间点于心脏抽血检测动脉血氧分压（PaO2）;取肺组织进行肺湿/干质量比值（W/D）测定,并采用苏木精-伊红（HE）染色观察肺组织形态学变化;用酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）法检测肺泡灌洗液（BALF）中IL-1β和TNF-α的含量.结果 给予气管内滴注LPS后于1、2、4、8 h观察大鼠动脉血PaO2,急性肺损伤组、地塞米松干预组较正常对照组显著降低,两组PaO2均在4 h时达最低点,各时间点动脉血PaO2对比,地塞米松干预组均显著高于急性肺损伤组,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）.在LPS致炎后1、2、4、8 h 4个时间点急性肺损伤组、地塞米松干预组各时间点W/D比值均较正常对照组显著增加,两组间比较地塞米松干预组较急性肺损伤组降低,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）.病理形态学观察可见急性肺损伤组与地塞米松干预组均出现肺水肿、出血、炎性细胞浸润,而地塞米松干预组肺损伤程度较急性肺损伤组减轻.ELISA试验结果显示急性肺损伤组在气管内滴入LPS 1 h后BALF中IL-1β、TNF-α含量迅速升高,4 h时达峰值,地塞米松干预后IL-1β、TNF-α表达在相同时间点均较模型组显著降低,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;而正常对照组BALF中IL-1β、TNF-α在不同时间点无明显变化.结论 地塞米松可通过抑制内毒素性大鼠ALI肺组织中IL-1β、TNF-α的表达,改善呼吸氧合功能,减轻肺损伤.     

KGFR promotes Na+ channel expression in a rat acute lung injury model

Background

Binding of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) to the KGF receptor (KGFR) plays an important role in the recovery of alveolar epithelial cells from acute lung injury (ALI).

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of gene therapy via adenovirus gene transfer of KGFR on the treatment of ALI.

Methods

Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: normal controls, injury controls, normal adenovirus transduced group and injury adenovirus transduced group. The ALI model was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. Recombinant adenovirus (AdEasy-KGFR) was injected via the tail vein. Expression of the sodium (Na⁺) channel in rat alveolar type II (ATII) epithelial cells was determined by PCR, immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy of rat lung tissues.

Results

Gene expression of the Na⁺ channel and KGFR in ATII cells was higher in the normal adenovirus transduced group than the three other groups; expression of these two genes in the injury adenovirus transduced group was higher than the injury control group. Na⁺ channel protein expression was lower in the injury adenovirus transduced group but higher than the injury control group.

Conclusions

KGFR over-expression induced Na channel expression could potentially be beneficial for ALI therapy.     

Effects of Heat Pretreatment on Histopathology, Cytokine Production, and Surfactant in Endotoxin-Induced Acute Lung Injury

To determine the effect of heat stress on histopathology of acute lung injury (ALI) caused by administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and to determine the roles of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-, interleukin (IL)-1, interferon (IFN)-, IL-10 and surfactants in heat-induced tolerance to ALI, we administered either saline or LPS (3 mg/kg of body weight) intravenously to male Sprague-Dawley rats without and with heat pretreatment. Five hours after LPS or saline treatment (23 h after heat-pretreatment), samples were obtained. We found that the histopathologic features of LPS-induced ALI were attenuated by heat-pretreatment. Heat-pretreatment did not decrease the elevated plasma or BAL fluid levels of TNF-, IL-1, and IFN- by LPS. The plasma level of IL-10 in LPS-treated rats with heat-pretreatment, however, was increased compared to that of LPS-treated rats without heat-pretreatment (P = 0.001). There were no differences in the BAL fluid concentrations of light or heavy density pulmonary surfactant phospholipids depending on heat-pretreatment in LPS-treated rats. These observations suggest that IL-10 might play a role in decreasing LPS-induced acute lung injury after heat-pretreatment.     

The alpha-lipoic acid derivative DHLHZn: a new therapeutic agent for acute lung injury in vivo

Objective and design

An animal experiment was performed to demonstrate the anti-inflammatory effects of an alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) derivative, dihydrolipoyl histidinate zinc complex (DHLHZn) for acute lung injury (ALI) and to investigate the mechanism of action.

Material

Rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups: control group (n = 17), DHLHZn(?) group (n = 11, ALI model rats), and DHLHZn(+) group (n = 12, ALI model rats treated by DHLHZn).

Treatment

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS, 10 mg/kg) were administered intratracheally in the DHLHZn(?) group and the DHLHZn(+) group. For the DHLHZn(+) group, DHLHZn (100 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 2 h prior to LPS administration.

Methods

Four hours after LPS administration, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were collected. The findings were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

Total number of cells, number of neutrophils and lymphocytes, levels of various inflammatory cytokines, and NF-kB p65 concentration of BALF were significantly lower in the DHLHZn(+) group than in the DHLHZn(?) group (p < 0.05). ALI pathology scores were significantly lower in the DHLHZn(+) group than in the DHLHZn(?) group (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Anti-inflammatory effects of DHLHZn for ALI were demonstrated by BALF and histopathological findings. The mechanism of action of DHLHZn was considered to be via inhibition of the NF-kB signaling pathway. DHLHZn is thus suggested to be a new prophylactic agent for ALI.

     

Acute lung inflammation in rats induced by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)

Intratracheal administration of PMA produces acute lung injury in part due to the generation of O₂-derived free radicals. This study evaluated the role of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) in PMA-induced lung injury in the rat. PMA was instilled into rats intratracheally (20–60 g/kg), and the lungs were lavaged 4 hr later. Total number of cells recovered from lavage after PMA treatment was not different from the total number recovered from controls; lavagable PMNs increased in a dose-dependent manner. Albumin in lavage fluid (an index of lung vascular permeability) was significantly increased at 60 g/kg PMA. SOD (10,000 U)+PMA (60 g/kg) reduced the albumin level but significantly increased both total number of cells and number of PMNs recovered from lavage fluid. To investigate the possibility that SOD decreases the ability of PMNs to adhere, PMN aggregation was measuredin vitro. The results indicated that 10,000 U SOD can inhibit PMA-induced aggregation by 50%. In contrast, aggregation to other stimuli (e.g., fMet-Leu-Phe, A23187) was unaffected by SOD. We conclude SOD prevents PMA-induced lung permeability and diminishes PMN adherence.     

Cavidine Ameliorates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury <Emphasis Type="Italic">via</Emphasis> NF-κB Signaling Pathway <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vivo</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

Acute lung injury (ALI) is characterized by widespread inflammation in the lungs and alveolar-capillary destruction, causing high morbidity and mortality. Cavidine, isolated from Corydalis impatiens, have been exhibited to have potent anti-inflammatory effects in previous studies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of cavidine on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI and to enunciate the underlying in vivo and in vitro mechanisms. Mice were intraperitoneally administrated with cavidine (1, 3, or 10 mg/kg) at 1 and 12 h, prior to the induction of ALI by intranasal administration of LPS (30 mg/kg). Blood samples, lung tissues, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were harvested after LPS challenge. Furthermore, we used LPS-induced lung epithelial cells A549 to examine the mechanism of cavidine to lung injury. The results showed that pretreatment with cavidine significantly decreased lung wet-to-dry weight (W/D) ratio, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels including TNF-α and IL-6 in BALF and serum from LPS-stimulated mice, and attenuated lung histopathological changes. In addition, western blot results showed that cavidine inhibited the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) p65 and IκBα induced by LPS. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that cavidine protects against LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice via inhibiting of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and IL-6 production and NF-κB signaling pathway activation. Taken together, cavidine may be useful for the prevention and treatment of pulmonary inflammatory diseases, such as ALI.     

中性粒细胞胞外诱捕网在新生大鼠急性肺损伤中的作用

目的:探讨中性粒细胞胞外诱捕网(NETs)在新生大鼠急性肺损伤(ALI)中的作用。方法:取出生7 d的SD大鼠30只,按照随机数字表法分成生理盐水对照组、ALI组及ALI+脱氧核糖核酸酶(Dnase)组,每组10只。ALI组用脂多糖(LPS)以20 mg/kg的剂量腹腔注射,ALI+Dnase组则在注射LPS后即腹腔注射Dnase(5 mg/kg)。给药6 h后,水合氯醛麻醉大鼠,收集支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF),荧光酶标仪检测BALF中游离DNA(cf-DNA)的含量;右肺组织固定于4%多聚甲醛中,HE染色观察各组大鼠肺组织形态结构;左肺组织制备肺组织匀浆,酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)法检测肺组织匀浆中白细胞介素6(IL-6)及肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)的含量;使用免疫荧光法与Western blot检测各组大鼠肺组织中瓜氨酸化组蛋白H3(CitH3)及髓过氧化物酶(MPO)的生成情况。结果:与对照组相比,ALI组与ALI+Dnase组中cf-DNA、CitH3、MPO、IL-6及TNF-α水平均升高(P<0.05),肺组织中炎性细胞浸润严重;与ALI组相比,ALI+Dnase组新生大鼠肺组织中cf-DNA、Cith3、MPO、IL-6及TNF-α水平降低(P<0.05),ALI+Dnase组炎症浸润程度降低。结论:新生大鼠ALI中,NETs水平为反映肺组织损伤的重要指标,NETs可能为治疗新生儿ALI的新靶点。     

Asiatic Acid Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice

Asiatic acid (AA), a major triterpene isolated from Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, is known to exert various pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of AA on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and clarify the underlying mechanisms. Lung pathological changes were assessed by H&E staining. The myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was detected by MPO assay. The levels of inflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA. TLR4 and NF-kB expression was detected by Western blot analysis. AA obviously inhibited LPS-induced lung histopathological changes, MPO activity, and inflammatory cell numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Treatment of AA also inhibited LPS-induced TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β production. Furthermore, Western blot analysis showed that AA inhibited LPS-induced TLR4 expression and NF-kB activation. In conclusion, AA inhibited LPS-induced ALI in mice by inhibiting inflammatory cytokine production, which is mediated via blocking of the TLR4/NF-kB signaling pathway.     

IL-2 enhances allergic airway responses in rats by increased inflammation but not through increased synthesis of cysteinyl leukotrienes.

BACKGROUND: IL-2 has been shown to increase allergic airway responses in rats. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether induction of inflammation and enhancement of cysteinyl-leukotriene (cys-LT) synthesis were involved in the augmentation of airway responses caused by IL-2. METHODS: Brown Norway rats received human recombinant IL-2 or saline subcutaneously twice a day from day 9 to day 14 after sensitization to ovalbumin (OVA). On day 14, rats underwent either lung lavage or were challenged with an aerosol spray of OVA, the airway responses and biliary excretion of cys-LTs were measured for a period of 8 hours after challenge, and the lung leukocyte numbers were determined after enzymatic digestion of lung tissues. RESULTS: The early response after OVA increased from 184.2% +/- 13.5% in the animals receiving saline (n = 10) to 309% +/- 51% (baseline lung resistance) in IL-2-pretreated animals (n = 17; P <.05). The late response also increased from 19.6 +/- 4.5 (area under the curve of baseline lung resistance vs time) in the animals receiving saline to 37 +/- 5.4 after administration of IL-2 (P <.05). However, IL-2-treated animals had lower levels of biliary cys-LTs during the late response than saline-treated animals but similar levels during the early response. This difference could not be attributed to an increase in LT metabolism, which we assessed by the recovery of 3H-LTC4 instilled intratracheally in challenged or unchallenged rats. When compared with control animals, pretreatment with IL-2 increased all cell types retrieved from lung lavage fluid before OVA challenge (P <.05). After OVA challenge, the total cell yield from lung lavage fluid was also increased, mostly because of an increase in neutrophils (P <.05). Eosinophils and lymphocytes were greater in the lungs of IL-2-treated than vehicle-treated and OVA-challenged rats (P <.01), and IL-2-treated rats had a lower CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio in the blood after challenge (P <.001). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, IL-2 increases early and late responses in rats, and it induces lung inflammation. Altered airway responses are not attributable to an increase in cys-LT production.     

p38 MAPK-HSP27信号通路在内毒素致大鼠肺损伤中的作用

 目的：观察p38丝裂原激活蛋白激酶（p38 MAPK)-热休克蛋白27（HSP27）信号通路在急性肺损伤病理过程中的变化规律。方法：健康雄性Wistar大鼠（300~320 g）随机分成正常对照组（A组）、急性肺损伤组（B组）及急性肺损伤+SB203580组（C组）。通过腹腔注射内毒素建立急性肺损伤大鼠模型,分别于实验开始后的0、2、4、6、8 h处死各组大鼠。检测支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）白细胞介素6（IL-6）、肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）及BALF中蛋白含量。苏木素-伊红（HE）染色检查肺组织病理变化及免疫荧光方法检测内皮细胞内F-actin和G-actin,计算肺湿干重比值（W/D）。检测肺组织中磷酸化p38 MAPK（p-p38 MAPK）及磷酸化HSP27（p-HSP27）的含量。 结果：B组在实验后2 h BALF中蛋白水平和肺W/D开始明显增加,给予内毒素后8 h肺泡上皮肿胀,肺泡壁增宽,肺泡间质和肺泡腔水肿明显,肺泡内炎症细胞、红细胞和蛋白渗出明显增多,表现出急性肺损伤的病理改变。在给予了p38 MAPK抑制剂SB203580后的C组BALF中蛋白水平及肺W/D分别比B组明显减少,肺泡内炎症细胞、红细胞和蛋白渗出、间质与肺泡水肿均较B组减轻。B组均在实验后2 h血清及BALF中TNF-α和IL-6的浓度开始增加,p-p38 MAPK及p-HSP27的肺内表达开始增加,与A组相比有显著差异。B组实验后8 h的F-actin的表达明显比A组实验后0 h及8 h的增加,给予p38 MAPK抑制剂SB203580的C组肺p-HSP27 和F-actin的表达分别比B组明显减少。结论：内毒素可以通过激活p38 MAPK-HSP27信号通路引起急性肺损伤;阻断该信号通路可以减轻肺损伤。     

Protective effect of gossypol on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice

Objective

Gossypol has been reported to have anti-inflammatory properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of gossypol on acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice.

Methods

Male BALB/c mice were pretreated with gossypol 1 h before intranasal instillation of LPS. Then, 7 h after LPS administration, the myeloperoxidase in histology of lungs, lung wet/dry ratio and inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the BALF were measured by ELISA. The extent of phosphorylation of IκB-α, p65 NF-κB, p46–p54 JNK, p42–p44 ERK, and p38 were detected by western blot.

Results

Gossypol markedly attenuated the LPS-induced histological alterations in the lung and inhibited the production of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. Additionally, gossypol reduced the inflammatory cells in BALF, decreased the wet/dry ratio of lungs and inhibited the phosphorylation of IκB-α, p65 NF-κB, p46–p54 JNK, p42–p44 ERK, and p38 caused by LPS.

Conclusion

The data suggest that anti-inflammatory effects of gossypol against the LPS-induced ALI may be due to its ability of inhibition of the NF-κB and MAPKs signaling pathways. Gossypol may be a promising potential therapeutic reagent for ALI treatment.     

Galangin Dampens Mice Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury

Galangin, an active ingredient of Alpinia galangal, has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Inflammation and oxidative stress are known to play vital effect in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI). In this study, we determined whether galangin exerts lung protection in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. Male BALB/c mice were randomized to receive galangin or vehicle intraperitoneal injection 3 h after LPS challenge. Samples were harvested 24 h post LPS administration. Galangin administration decreased biochemical parameters of oxidative stress and inflammation, and improved oxygenation and lung edema in a dose-dependent manner. These protective effects of galangin were associated with inhibition of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and upregulation of heme oxygenase (HO)-1. Galangin reduces LPS-induced ALI by inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress.     

Decreased surfactant protein-B expression and surfactant dysfunction in a murine model of acute lung injury

This study examines the relationships between inflammation, surfactant protein (SP) expression, surfactant function, and lung physiology in a murine model of acute lung injury (ALI). 129/J mice received aerosolized endotoxin lipopolysaccharide [LPS] daily for up to 96 h to simulate the cytokine release and acute inflammation of ALI. Lung elastance (E(L)) and resistance, lavage fluid cell counts, cytokine levels, phospholipid and protein content, and surfactant function were measured. Lavage and lung tissue SP content were determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry, and tissue messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were assessed by Northern blot and in situ hybridization. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and neutrophil counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid increased within 2 h of LPS exposure, followed by increases in total protein, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and interferon-gamma. E(L) increased within 24 h of LPS exposure and remained abnormal up to 96 h. SP-B protein and mRNA levels were decreased at 24, 48, and 96 h. By contrast, SP-A protein and mRNA levels and SP-C mRNA levels were not reduced. Surfactant dysfunction occurred coincident with changes in SP-B levels. This study demonstrates that lung dysfunction in mice with LPS-ALI corresponds closely with abnormal surfactant function and reduced SP-B expression.