Effect of lipopolysaccharide on alteration of phospholipids and their fatty acid composition in spleen and thymus by in vitro metabolic labeling

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an endotoxin, a potent stimulator of immune response and induction of LPS leads to acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ARDS is a life‐threatening disease worldwide with a high mortality rate. The immunological effect of LPS with spleen and thymus is well documented; however the impact on membrane phospholipid during endotoxemia has not yet been studied. Hence we aimed to investigate the influence of LPS on spleen and thymus phospholipid and fatty acid composition by [³²P]orthophosphate labeling in rats. The in vitro labeling was carried out with phosphate‐free medium (saline). Time course, LPS concentration‐dependent, pre‐ and post‐labeling with LPS and fatty acid analysis of phospholipid were performed. Labeling studies showed that 50 µg LPS specifically altered the major phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol in spleen and phosphatidylcholine in thymus. Fatty acid analysis showed a marked alteration of unsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids in spleen and thymus leading to immune impairment via the fatty acid remodeling pathway. Our present in vitro lipid metabolic labeling study could open up new vistas for exploring LPS‐induced immune impairment in spleen and thymus, as well as the underlying mechanism. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrogen sulfide causes vanilloid receptor 1-mediated neurogenic inflammation in the airways

Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) is described as a mediator of diverse biological effects, and is known to produce irritation and injury in the lung following inhalation. Recently, H(2)S has been found to cause contraction in the rat urinary bladder via a neurogenic mechanism. Here, we studied whether sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS), used as donor of H(2)S, produces responses mediated by sensory nerve activation in the guinea-pig airways. NaHS evoked an increase in neuropeptide release in the airways that was significantly attenuated by capsaicin desensitization and by the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) antagonist capsazepine. In addition, NaHS caused an atropine-resistant contraction of isolated airways, which was completely prevented by capsaicin desensitization. Furthermore, NaHS-induced contraction was reduced by TRPV1 antagonism (ruthenium red, capsazepine and SB366791), and was abolished by pretreatment with the combination of tachykinin NK(1) (SR140333) and NK(2) (SR48968) receptor antagonists. In anesthetized guinea-pigs, intratracheal instillation of NaHS increased the total lung resistance and airway plasma protein extravasation. These two effects were reduced by TRPV1 antagonism (capsazepine) and tachykinin receptors (SR140333 and SR48968) blockade. Our results provide the first pharmacological evidence that H(2)S provokes tachykinin-mediated neurogenic inflammatory responses in guinea-pig airways, and that this effect is mediated by stimulation of TRPV1 receptors on sensory nerves endings. This novel mechanism may contribute to the irritative action of H(2)S in the respiratory system.     

Hyaluronan ameliorates LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice via Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4-dependent signaling pathways

Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) signaling has been implicated in innate immunity and acute inflammation following acute lung injury (ALI). As such, modulating inflammatory response through TLR4 represents an attractive therapeutic approach to treat ALI. Increasing evidence demonstrates that hyaluronan (HA) can modulate TLR4 activation and has shown early promise as a therapeutic agent in ALI. However, the mechanism associated with HA has not been fully elucidated. In the current study, we sought to determine the effects of HA on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response and gain insights into the mechanism of action in mice with intratracheal instillation of LPS. Our results demonstrate that in contrast to mice challenged with LPS, pretreatment with HA significantly inhibited inflammatory cell recruitment, attenuated lung injury and suppressed the level of cytokine/chemokine in bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Investigation of the mechanism responsible for inhibition of LPS activation showed HA treatment significantly inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 and protein expression of myeloid differentiation primary response protein (MyD88) and TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF) and p38 MAPK, JNK and ERK activation in lung tissue. Furthermore, we compared the protection effect of HA in TLR4-deficient mice with those of genetically matched wild type (WT) mice in an acute model of lung injury. However, in TLR4-deficient mice, HA pretreatment before LPS instillation fail to affect the LPS response. Therefore, our findings suggest that HA pretreatment attenuated LPS-induced ALI and the anti-inflammatory function of HA was partial dependent on TLR4, which shed new light on potential elements that regulate the lung injury response.     

Escin attenuates acute lung injury induced by endotoxin in mice

Endotoxin causes multiple organ dysfunctions, including acute lung injury (ALI). The current therapeutic strategies for endotoxemia are designed to neutralize one or more of the inflammatory mediators. Accumulating experimental evidence suggests that escin exerts anti-inflammatory and antiedematous effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of escin on ALI induced by endotoxin in mice. ALI was induced by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intravenously. The mice were given dexamethasone or escin before injection of LPS. The mortality rate was recorded. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and nitric oxide (NO) were measured. Pulmonary superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were also determined. The expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) level was detected by Western blotting. Pretreatment with escin could decrease the mortality rate, attenuate lung injury resulted from LPS, down-regulate the level of the inflammation mediators, including NO, TNF-α, and IL-1β, enhance the endogenous antioxidant capacity, and up-regulating the GR expression in lung. The results suggest that escin may have potent protective effect on the LPS-induced ALI by inhibiting of the inflammatory response, and its mechanism involves in up-regulating the GR and enhancing the endogenous antioxidant capacity.     

Kaempferol regulates MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways to attenuate LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice

Recent studies show that mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways are two pivotal roles contributing to the development of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI). The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of kaempferol (Kae), a naturally occurring flavonoid compound, on ALI and explore its possible mechanisms. Male BALB/c mice with ALI, induced by intranasal instillation of LPS, were treated or not with Kae (100mg/kg, intragastrically) 1h prior to LPS exposure. Kae treatment attenuated pulmonary edema of mice with ALI after LPS challenge, as it markedly decreased the lung W/D ratio of lung samples, protein concentration and the amounts of inflammatory cells in BALF. Similarly, LPS mediated overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines in BALF, including TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, was strongly reduced by Kae. Histological studies demonstrated that Kae substantially inhibited LPS-induced alveolar wall thickness, alveolar hemorrhage and leukocytes infiltration in lung tissue with evidence of reduced myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Kae also efficiently increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of lung sample when compared with LPS group, which was obviously reduced by LPS administration. In addition, Western blot analysis indicated that the activation of MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways stimulated by LPS was significantly blocked by Kae. Taken together, our results suggest that Kae exhibits a protective effect on LPS-induced ALI via suppression of MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways, which may involve the inhibition of tissue oxidative injury and pulmonary inflammatory process.     

L6H9 attenuates LPS-induced acute lung injury in rats through targeting MD2

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a clinical syndrome characterized by respiratory failure and acute inflammatory response. Myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD2) has been reported to play a pivotal role in the recognition of LPS and LPS-mediates inflammatory response. There have been no clinically effective therapeutic drugs for ALI. L6H9, an inhibitor of MD2, showed anti-inflammatory effects and cardiac protective activity. However, its effect on ALI has not been elucidated. In this study, intratracheal instillation of LPS was employed to induce ALI in rats. L6H9 pretreatment attenuates LPS-induced pathological variations in lung tissue and pulmonary edema. LPS instillation enhanced lung microvascular permeability, thereby causing inflammatory cells flow into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). However, L6H9 inhibited the LPS-induced upregulation of total protein concentration and the number of inflammatory cells in BALF. In the meantime, macrophages infiltration in lung tissue induced by LPS was also mitigated by L6H9 treatment. Furthermore, L6H9 suppressed LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines expression in BALF, serum, and lung tissue. It is noteworthy that LPS-induced MD2/TLR4 complex formation was inhibited by L6H9 in lung tissue. On the whole, these results show that L6H9 can attenuate LPS-induced ALI in vivo by targeting MD2. Our study provide new candidate for the treatment of ALI.     

Protective effects of pravastatin in murine lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury

1. The present study was designed to determine whether pravastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, could attenuate acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in BALB/c mice. 2. Acute lung injury was induced successfully by intratracheal administraiton of LPS (3 microg/g) in BALB/c mice. Pravastatin (3, 10 and 30 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to mice 24 h prior to and then again concomitant with LPS exposure. 3. Challenge with LPS alone produced a significant increase in lung index and the wet/dry weight ratio compared with control animals. Pulmonary microvascular leakage, as indicated by albumin content in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and extravasation of Evans blue dye albumin into lung tissue, was apparently increased in LPS-exposed mice. Lipopolysaccharide exposure also produced a significant lung inflammatory response, reflected by myeloperoxidase activity and inflammatory cell counts in BALF. Furthermore, histological examination showed that mice exposed to LPS also exhibited prominent inflammatory cell infiltration and occasional alveolar haemorrhage. 4. Pravastatin (3, 10 or 30 mg/kg, i.p.) produced a significant reduction in multiple indices of LPS-induced pulmonary vascular leak and inflammatory cell infiltration into lung tissue. Elevated tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha levels in lung tissue homogenates of ALI mice were significantly decreased after administration of 10 or 30 mg/kg pravastatin. 5. These findings confirm significant protection by pravastatin against LPS-induced lung vascular leak and inflammation and implicate a potential role for statins in the management of ALI. The inhibitory effect of pravastatin was associated with its effect in decreasing TNF-alpha.     

间-尼索地平对大鼠急性肺损伤的保护作用

目的观察新型钙拮抗剂间-尼索地平对脂多糖（LPS）诱导大鼠急性肺损伤（ALl）是否有保护作用,探讨Au治疗的新思路。方法以LPS（5．0mg／kg）尾静脉注射建立肺损伤模型。观察各组大鼠肺组织病理改变,计算肺W／D值,检测肺泡上皮细胞内Ca2＋浓度,测定支气管-肺泡灌洗液（BALF）中肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF—α）和蛋白质含量,肺组织中丙二醛（MDA）含量,肺毛细血管通透指数（CPI）的变化。结果间-尼索地平能明显减轻LPS所致ALl模型肺组织病变情况。间-尼索地平组肺泡上皮细胞Ca2＋浓度比LPS组含量明显减少（P〈0．05）,肺W／D值比LPS组明显降低（P〈O．05）,肺CPI比LPS组明显降低（P〈0．01）,肺组织MDA含量比LPS组含量减少（P〈0．01）。结论间-尼索地平对脂多糖肺损伤有一定的保护作用。     

Protective effects of diphenyleneiodonium,an NADPH oxidase inhibitor,on lipopolysaccharide‐induced acute lung injury

NADPH oxidase (NOX) plays an important role in inflammatory response by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS). The inhibition of NOX has been shown to induce anti‐inflammatory effects in a few experimental models. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), a NOX inhibitor, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced acute lung injury (ALI) in a rat model. Sprague‐Dawley rats were intraperitoneally administered by DPI (5 mg/kg) 30 minutes after intratracheal instillation of LPS (3 mg/kg). After 6 hours, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were collected. The NOX activity in lung tissue was significantly increased in LPS‐treated rats. It was significantly attenuated by DPI. DPI‐treated rats showed significant reduction in the intracellular ROS, the number of inflammatory cells, and cytokines (TNF‐α and IL‐6) in BALF compared with LPS‐treated rats. In lung tissue, DPI‐treated rats showed significantly decreased malondialdehyde content and increased activity of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase compared with LPS‐treated rats. Lung injury score, myeloperoxidase activity, and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression were significantly decreased in DPI‐treated rats compared with LPS‐treated animals. Western blotting analysis demonstrated that DPI significantly suppressed LPS‐induced activation of NF‐κB and ERK1/2 and SAPK/JNK in MAPK pathway. Our results suggest that DPI may have protective effects on LPS‐induced ALI thorough anti‐oxidative and anti‐inflammatory effects which may be due to inactivation of the NF‐κB, ERK1/2, and SAPK/JNK pathway. These results suggest the therapeutic potential of DPI as an anti‐inflammatory agent in ALI.     

甘草酸单铵对脂多糖致小鼠急性肺损伤的保护作用

采用脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide，LPS)气道滴入诱导小鼠急性肺损伤(acute lung injury，ALI)模型，研究甘草酸单铵(monoammonium glycyrrhizinate，MAG)对ALI的防治作用及其机制。雄性ICR小鼠随机分为生理盐水(NS)对照组、MAG 3、10 及30 mg·kg^-1组、LPS组、地塞米松(dexamethasone，DXM) 5 mg·kg^-1组。MAG各组气道滴入LPS前1 h及滴入后3 h各给药1次，DXM组气道滴入LPS前1 h给药1次。LPS气道滴入后6 h处死动物，测定各组的肺湿重/干重比、肺通透性、肺组织中性粒细胞髓过氧化物酶(myeloperoxidase，MPO)含量、ELISA法检测肺组织匀浆TNF-α、IL-10含量，常规细胞形态学检测中性粒细胞在支气管肺泡灌洗液(bronchoalveolar lavage fluid，BALF)中的比例和肺组织病理改变。结果表明，MAG剂量依赖性减轻气道内滴入LPS诱导的小鼠ALI程度，降低肺湿重/干重比及肺组织伊文斯蓝的渗出，降低BALF中白细胞总数和中性粒细胞数比例，抑制组织MPO的释放，降低肺组织匀浆TNF-α的含量，增加肺组织IL-10的释放。以上结果提示，MAG可能通过调节TNF-α/IL-10的平衡而有效保护脂多糖诱导的急性肺损伤。     

西地那非对脂多糖诱导的小鼠急性肺损伤的作用

目的明确西地那非对急性肺损伤(ALI)的治疗作用及可能机制。方法采用脂多糖(LPS,4 mg·kg~(-1))气道滴入诱导的小鼠ALI模型。随机分为生理盐水组、LPS模型组、西地那非3,10及30 mg·kg~(-1)组、地塞米松5 mg·kg~(-1)组。测定肺干/湿重比值,常规细胞形态学检测支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中白细胞,肺组织切片观察病理改变;测定肺组织匀浆髓过氧化酶(MPO)活性、NO含量、NOS活性及TNF-α含量。结果LPS诱导的ALI小鼠肺干/湿重比值明显下降;BALF中白细胞总数及中性粒细胞比例明显增加;肺毛细血管通透性明显增加;肺组织间隙大量中性粒细胞浸润和红细胞渗出;肺组织匀浆TNF-α含量和MPO活性明显增加,NO含量、总NOS活性及iNOS活性明显增加。同时腹腔注射西地那非可剂量依赖性地降低ALI小鼠肺干/湿重比值;减少BALF中的白细胞总数及中性粒细胞的比例;降低肺毛细血管通透性;改善肺组织病理变化;抑制肺组织匀浆TNF-α含量、MPO活性及NO含量、总NOS活性及iNOS活性的增加。结论西地那非对LPS诱导的ALI有保护作用,提示NO- cGMP途径可能在ALI中起重要作用。     

MiR-342 attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury via inhibiting MAPK1 expression

Micro RNA (miRNA) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) are reported as the crucial regulators of inflammatory responses in acute lung injury (ALI). This study will explore the role of the miR-342/MAPK1 axis in regulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. We found that miR-342 was down-regulated in LPS-induced A549 cells compared with the control group with DMSO, accompanied by elevated inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis. Over-expression of miR-342 reduced LPS-induced inflammatory responses and apoptosis in LPS-stimulated A549 cells, and had a protective role in LPS-treated mice with ALI by decreasing levels of inflammatory cytokines, improving survival of mice with ALI, and ameliorating the lung permeability. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay demonstrated that miR-342 regulated the expression of MAPK1 by directly targeting its 3′ untranslated region (3′-UTR). Mechanistically, MAPK1 silencing abrogated LPS-induced inflammatory injury in A549 cells, and partially enhanced the protective effect of miR-342. Therefore, miR-342 attenuates LPS-induced ALI by targeting MAPK1 expression, thereby protecting against A549 cell injury induced by LPS and lung injury of mice with ALI.     

TRPV1 Channel: A Potential Drug Target for Treating Epilepsy

Epilepsy has 2-3% incidence worldwide. However, present antiepileptic drugs provide only partial control of seizures. Calcium ion accumulation in hippocampal neurons has long been known as a major contributor to the etiology of epilepsy. TRPV1 is a calcium-permeable channel and mediator of epilepsy in the hippocampus. TRPV1 is expressed in epileptic brain areas such as CA1 area and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Here the author reviews the patent literature on novel molecules targeting TRPV1 that are currently being investigated in the laboratory and are candidates for future clinical evaluation in the management of epilepsy. A limited number of recent reports have implicated TRPV1 in the induction or treatment of epilepsy suggesting that this may be new area for potential drugs targeting this debilitating disease. Thus activation of TRPV1 by oxidative stress, resiniferatoxin, cannabinoid receptor (CB1) activators (i.e. anandamide) or capsaicin induced epileptic effects, and these effects could be reduced by appropriate inhibitors, including capsazepine (CPZ), 5''-iodoresiniferatoxin (IRTX), resolvins, and CB1 antagonists. It has been also reported that CPZ and IRTX reduced spontaneous excitatory synaptic transmission through modulation of glutaminergic systems and desensitization of TRPV1 channels in the hippocampus of rats. Immunocytochemical studies indicated that TRPV1 channel expression increased in the hippocampus of mice and patients with temporal lobe epilepsyTaken together, findings in the current literature support a role for calcium ion accumulation through TRPV1 channels in the etiology of epileptic seizures, indicating that inhibition of TRPV1 in the hippocampus may possibly be a novel target for prevention of epileptic seizures.     

可溶性晚期糖基化终末产物受体对脂多糖肺损伤小鼠肺内细胞因子的干预作用

目的探讨应用重组可溶性晚期糖基化终末产物受体(sRAGE)对脂多糖(LPS)介导的急性肺损伤(ALI)小鼠肺内细胞因子水平的影响。方法健康雄性BALB/C小鼠随机分为磷酸盐缓冲液(PBS)组、LPS组和sRAGE组。LPS组和sRAGE组通过气管内滴注LPS(3mg/kg体质量)建立ALI模型,造模后1hsRAGE组腹腔注射100μg重组小鼠sRAGE,各组于24h留取标本,采用Bio-Plex悬浮芯片技术检测支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中8种细胞因子含量,并计数炎症细胞数量和蛋白(TP)含量,对肺组织进行病理学评估。观察sRAGE干预对造模后4h肺组织核因子(NF)-κB P65DNA结合活性的影响。结果 LPS滴注24h后,BALF中8种细胞因子含量均显著升高,白细胞(WBC)总数和中性粒细胞(NEU)数量显著增加,TP含量升高,肺组织出现典型的ALI病理损害。sRAGE干预显著降低了BALF中肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α、巨噬细胞炎症蛋白(MIP)-1β和MIP-1α水平,减少了BALF中WBC、NEU数量及TP含量,减轻了LPS引起的肺组织病理改变,并对造模后4hLPS介导的肺内NF-κB活化有抑制作用。结论应用重组sRAGE阻止RAGE信号能调控LPS介导的肺内细胞因子的表达,这构成了sRAGE抑制肺内炎症的重要机制之一。     

Luteolin attenuates the pulmonary inflammatory response involves abilities of antioxidation and inhibition of MAPK and NFκB pathways in mice with endotoxin-induced acute lung injury

Acute lung injury (ALI) in critically ill patients remains the leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a key mediator of lung injury. This study investigates the protective effects and mechanisms of luteolin in intratracheal instillation of LPS (100 μg)-induced ALI in mice. Pretreatment of mice with 70 μmol/kg luteolin significantly restores LPS-induced decrease in oxygen pressure and increase in carbon dioxide in arterial blood. The histopathological study established 70 μmol/kg luteolin pretreatment markedly attenuates lung histopathological changes, such as haemorrhaging, interstitial edema, and infiltration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) into the lung parenchyma and alveolar spaces. Sufficient evidence for luteolin (35 and 70 μmol/kg) suppresses activation and infiltration of PMNs is obtained in expression of surface marker CD11b and Ly6G on cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cells and myeloperoxidase activity in lung tissue. Furthermore, luteolin reduces the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase, and the level of oxidative damage, and lipid peroxidation, in lung tissue. In addition, the secretion of TNF-α, KC, and ICAM-1 in the BALF after LPS challenge are also inhibited by luteolin. Moreover, luteolin reduced LPS-induced activation of MAPK and NFκB pathways. Therefore, luteolin is a potential protective antagonists for LPS-induced ALI in mice.     

Endotoxin‐induced acute lung injury in mice is protected by 5,7‐dihydroxy‐8‐methoxyflavone via inhibition of oxidative stress and HIF‐1α

Up to date, the morbidity and mortality rates of acute lung injury (ALI) still rank high among clinical illnesses. Endotoxin, also called lipopolysaccharide (LPS), induced sepsis is the major cause for ALI. Beneficial biological effects, such as antioxidation, anti‐inflammation, and neuroprotection was found to express by 5,7‐dihydroxy‐8‐methoxyflavone (DHMF). The purpose of present study was to investigate the potential protective effects of DHMF and the possibile mechanisms involved in LPS‐induced ALI. In our experimental model, ALI was induced in mice by intratracheal injection of LPS, and DHMF at various concentrations was injected intraperitoneally for 30 min prior to LPS administration. Pretreatment with DHMF inhibited not only the histolopatholgical changes occurred in lungs but also leukocytes infiltration in LPS‐induced ALI. Decreased activity of antioxidative enzymes (AOE) such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) caused by LPS was reversed by DHMF. LPS‐induced lipid peroxidation HIF‐1α accumulation, NF‐κB phosphorylation, and IκBα degradation were all inhibited by DHMF. In addition, LPS‐induced expression of proinflammatory mediators such as TNF‐α and IL‐1β were also inhibited by 5,7‐dihydroxy‐8‐methoxyflavone. These results suggested that the protective mechanisms of DHMF on endotoxin‐induced ALI might be via up‐regulation of antioxidative enzymes, inhibition of NFκB phosphorylation, and HIF‐1α accumulation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1700–1709, 2016.     

Ruscogenin inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice: involvement of tissue factor, inducible NO synthase and nuclear factor (NF)-κB

Acute lung injury is still a significant clinical problem with a high mortality rate and there are few effective therapies in clinic. Here, we studied the inhibitory effect of ruscogenin, an anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic natural product, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury in mice basing on our previous studies. The results showed that a single oral administration of ruscogenin significantly decreased lung wet to dry weight (W/D) ratio at doses of 0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg 1 h prior to LPS challenge (30 mg/kg, intravenous injection). Histopathological changes such as pulmonary edema, coagulation and infiltration of inflammatory cells were also attenuated by ruscogenin. In addition, ruscogenin markedly decreased LPS-induced myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and nitrate/nitrite content, and also downregulated expression of tissue factor (TF), inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB p-p65 (Ser 536) in the lung tissue at three doses. Furthermore, ruscogenin reduced plasma TF procoagulant activity and nitrate/nitrite content in LPS-induced ALI mice. These findings confirmed that ruscogenin significantly attenuate LPS-induced acute lung injury via inhibiting expressions of TF and iNOS and NF-κB p65 activation, indicating it as a potential therapeutic agent for ALI or sepsis.     

Mechanistic target of rapamycin-mediated autophagy is involved in the alleviation of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rats

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a complex clinical syndrome with high morbidity and mortality rates. Autophagy is an adaptive process that plays a complex role in ALI. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of autophagy on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung injury by establishing a rat ALI model and to further explore the possible mechanisms involved. Rats were pretreated with the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) or the autophagy activator rapamycin before they were challenged with the intratracheal instillation of LPS (5 mg/kg). The level of autophagy in the lung tissue was detected. Lung injury and vascular permeability were assessed. The role of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)-mediated Unc-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) and the class III PI3 kinase VPS34 in autophagy regulation was examined. LPS challenge induced autophagy and rapamycin pretreatment enhanced autophagy activity in LPS-induced ALI rats. LPS caused severe lung injury and high pulmonary vascular permeability, which could be alleviated by enhancing autophagy. In addition, the inhibition of mTOR upregulated the expression of ULK1 and VPS34 and thus increased LPS-induced autophagy. Autophagy plays a protective role in LPS-induced ALI, and enhancing autophagy via the inhibition of mTOR alleviates lung injury and pulmonary barrier function. Moreover, mTOR negatively mediates ULK1 and VPS34 to regulate LPS-induced autophagy in rats.     

脂多糖致急性肺损伤后Bax/Bcl-2变化

目的观察脂多糖(LPS)致大鼠急性肺损伤(ALI)后大鼠肺泡上皮细胞凋亡情况。方法雄性Wistar大鼠200~250g60只,随机分为两组,分别为对照组和LPS组,每组30只。各组分别注射0·9%氯化钠(NS)或LPS5mg/kg4h后观察呼吸频率,行动脉血气分析;致死后检测肺组织湿/干(W/D)比值,检测肺泡上皮细胞B-细胞淋巴瘤/白血病-2(Bcl-2)、Bcl-2相关X蛋白(Bax)表达。结果LPS组呼吸频率[(108±77)次/min]较对照组[(71±5)次/min]显著增快,且有明显的肺水肿和低氧血症。LPS组Bax蛋白表达阳性细胞率[(6·27±0·84)%]与对照组[(0·48±0·52)%]相比显著增高,Bcl-2蛋白表达阳性细胞率与对照组比较差异无统计学意义。结论促进细胞凋亡的Bax蛋白表达细胞显著增多,使Bax/Bcl-2细胞比例明显增加,可能参与了LPS诱发的ALI的发病机制。