Azithromycin reduces airway inflammation in a murine model of lung ischaemia reperfusion injury.

Clinical studies revealed that azithromycin reduces airway neutrophilia during chronic rejection after lung transplantation. Our aim was to investigate the possible effect of azithromycin on ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Azithromycin or water was administered to mice every other day during 2 weeks (n = 6/group). On the 14th day, the left lung was clamped to induce ischaemia (90 min). In two additional groups, animals underwent the same protocol, followed by 4 h of reperfusion. Two control groups were included with thoracotomy only. Inflammatory parameters and oxidative stress were measured in broncho-alveolar lavage of the left lung. Leukocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, 8-isoprostane and IL-1beta levels after ischaemia and reperfusion were significantly reduced in mice treated with azithromycin. There was a trend towards lower IL-6 and KC levels. A significant correlation was seen between 8-isoprostanes and neutrophils (Pearson r = 0.72; P = 0.0086), IL-6 (Pearson r = 0.84; P = 0.0006), KC (Pearson r = 0.88; P = 0.0002) and IL-1beta (Pearson r = 0.62; P = 0.0326). We conclude (i) that azithromycin reduces inflammation and oxidative stress in our IRI model, and (ii) that oxidative stress is correlated with the number of neutrophils and IL-6, KC and IL-1beta levels after ischaemia and reperfusion. Azithromycin should be further investigated as a novel drug to prevent lung ischaemia-reperfusion injury.     

吡咯烷二巯基氨甲酸对大鼠肾缺血再灌注的保护作用及机制

目的 探讨吡咯烷二巯基氨甲酸(PDTC)对大鼠肾缺血再灌注的保护作用及可能的机制.方法 选择成年、健康及雄性的Wistar大鼠56只,随机分为缺血再灌注损伤(IRI)组,PDTC组及对照组.IRI组:24只,建立大鼠肾缺血再灌注模型;PDTC组:24只,缺血再灌注前15 min经鼠尾静脉注射PDTC 150 mg/kg,其余步骤同IRI组;对照组:8只,不给予缺血再灌注处理.IRI组和PDTC组分别于再灌注后2、6和24 h检测大鼠血清肌酐(Cr)和尿素氮(BUN)水平;检测肾组织中自细胞介素8(IL-8)和肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)的含量;逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测肾组织中核因子-κB(NF-κB)和诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)mRNA表达水平;苏木素-伊红(HE)染色观察大鼠肾组织的病理变化.取对照组的各项数据作为正常对照.结果 IRI组大鼠再灌注后各时间点的血Cr、BUN、IL-8及TNF-α含量、NF-κB和iNOS mRNA表达水平均高于对照组和PDTC组(P<0.05).再灌注后6 h时,PDTC组大鼠肾组织中IL-8和TNF-α含量与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).再灌注后24 h时,PDTC组大鼠各项生化指标与对照组相比,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).PDTC组大鼠肾损伤的病理变化较IRI大鼠明显减轻.结论 PDTC通过抑制NF-κB,有效减少IL-8,TNFα和iNOS的产生,对肾缺血再灌注有良好的保护作用.     

Regional hypothermia reduces mucosal NF-kappaB and PMN priming via gut lymph during canine mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion

BACKGROUND: Mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) activates pro-inflammatory mediators that exacerbate gut reperfusion injury and prime circulating neutrophils that cause remote organ injury. We have shown that regional intraischemic hypothermia protects the intestinal mucosa during I/R in rats. In this study, we examined the effects of regional hypothermia on I/R-induced transvascular protein clearance, NF-kappaB DNA binding activity, and polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) priming via gut lymph in a canine mesenteric lymphatic fistula model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Conditioned dogs underwent 60 min of mesenteric ischemia, with or without regional intraischemic hypothermia, and 3 h reperfusion. A mesenteric lymphatic fistula model was used to measure transvascular protein clearance and harvest lymph. Biopsies of distal ileum were obtained at baseline and 0, 180 min of reperfusion for NF-kappaB DNA binding activity using electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). A kinetic spectrophotometric assay was used to determine fMLP stimulated PMN superoxide production after priming by gut lymph obtained at baseline and 180 min reperfusion. RESULTS: Transvascular protein clearance increased during reperfusion compared to baseline, and hypothermia had no significant effect on this I/R-induced protein clearance. NF-kappaB activity increased three-fold at the end of ischemia and hypothermia prevented this early activation. PMN superoxide production increased 19-fold during I/R (0.06 +/- 0.04 versus 1.14 +/- 0.50 nmol O(2), P < 0.05), but only 2.5-fold during I/R + hypothermia (0.28 +/- 0.09 versus 0.70 +/- 0.32 nmol O(2), P = 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: Regional intraischemic hypothermia prevented early intestinal NF-kappaB activation, partially abrogated PMN priming via gut lymph, but had no significant effect on increased transvascular protein clearance during mesenteric I/R in dogs.     

Akt activation protects rat liver from ischemia/reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND: Apoptosis as well as necrosis may play an important role in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Akt, a serine-threonine protein kinase, is known to promote cell survival. We investigated whether gene transfer of constitutively active or dominant negative Akt could affect hepatic I/R injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hepatic I/R injury was induced in rats by Pringle's maneuver for 20 min followed by reperfusion. Adenoviruses encoding a constitutively active form of Akt (myrAkt), a dominant negative form of Akt (dnAkt), or beta-galactosidase (LacZ) were injected through the tail vein 72 h before hepatic I/R. RESULTS: Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining demonstrated a significant increase in the positive cells 240 min after reperfusion. Immunoblotting with phospho-Akt antibody showed phosphorylation of Akt from 90 to 180 min after reperfusion. The expression of myrAkt reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells and hepatic necrosis around the central veins in the liver after reperfusion. This expression also significantly inhibited the increase in serum alanine aminotransferase (297 +/- 131 IU/L, P < 0.05) 120 min after I/R, compared with increases in uninfected (1761 +/- 671 IU/L), LacZ adenovirus (1528 +/- 671 IU/L)-, and dnAkt adenovirus (1342 +/- 485 IU/L)-infected rats. MyrAkt expression phosphorylated Bad and inhibited the release of cytochrome-c after reperfusion. No difference in nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, p65 was seen among the three groups of rats, however. CONCLUSION: Adenoviral gene transfer of myrAkt could inhibit apoptotic cell death and subsequent hepatic I/R injury in the rat, through Bad, not NF-kappaB.     

七氟醚预处理中核因子-κB的激活对大鼠心肌缺血/再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的 研究七氟醚预处理中NF-κB的激活对大鼠在体心肌缺血/再灌注损伤的保护作用.方法 48只雄性SD大鼠,阻断左冠状动脉前降支缺血30 min,开放再灌注120 min,随机分为6组.①对照组进行单纯心肌缺血/再灌注;②DMSO组于心肌缺血前15 min腹腔内注射二甲亚砜(DMSO);③PTN组于缺血前15 min腹腔内注射核转录因子-κB(NF-κB)特异性阻断剂小白菊内酯(PTN)500 μg/kg;④七氟醚组于吸入2.5%七氟醚30 min,继之15 min药物排出;⑤PTN+七氟醚组于七氟醚预处理前15 min腹腔内注射PTN;⑥七氟醚+FTN组于七氟醚预处理后即刻腹腔内注射PTN.实验中监测血液动力学变化,实验结束用氯化三苯四氮唑染色法(TPT)测定心肌梗死范嗣.结果 平衡期,各组间心率(HR),平均动脉压(MAP)和心率-收缩压乘积(RPP)无统计学意义(P>0.05).七氟醚组、PTN+七氟醚组和七氟醚+PTN组在吸入七氟醚期间HR、MAP和RPP明显降低,再灌注1 h和2 h引起各组MAP和RPP明显降低(P<0.05).与对照组(52.48±6.04)%相比,七氟醚组的心肌梗死范围显著减少(33.73±5.72)%,而PTN+七氟醚组(52.60±5.01)%和七氟醚+PTN组(52.39±7.00)%的心肌梗死范围明显高于七氟醚组(33.73±5.72)%(P<0.05).结论 七氟醚预处理缩小了大鼠心肌梗死范围,而PTN阻断了七氟醚的心肌保护作用,NF-κB可能参与了七氟醚预处理的心肌保护机制.     

Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate prevents 60 minutes of warm mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

BACKGROUND: Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) is a low-molecular-weight thiol antioxidant and potent inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation. It has been shown to attenuate harmful effects of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in many organs. In recent animal studies, destructive effects of reperfusion injury has been demonstrated. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether PDTC prevents harmful effects of superior mesenteric I/R injury in rats. METHODS: Wistar-albino rats were randomly allocated into the following 4 groups: (1) sham-operated group--these animals underwent laparotomy without I/R injury (group I, n = 12); (2) sham+PDTC group--identical to sham-operated rats except for the administration of PDTC (100 mg/kg intravenous bolus) 30 minutes prior to the commencement of the experimental period (group II, n = 12); (3) I/R group--these animals underwent laparotomy and 60 minutes of ischemia followed by 120 minutes of reperfusion (group III, n = 12); (4) PDTC-treated group (100 mg/kg, intravenously, before the I/R, group IV, n = 12). All animals were killed, and intestinal tissue samples were obtained for investigation of intestinal mucosal injury, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, glutathione (GSH) levels, and intestinal edema. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease in GSH levels, along with an increase in intestinal mucosal injury scores, MPO activity, MDA levels, and intestinal tissue wet-to-dry weight ratios in group III when compared to groups I, II, and IV (P < .05). However, PDTC treatment led to a statistically significant increase in GSH levels, along with a decrease in intestinal mucosal injury scores, MPO activity, MDA levels, and intestinal tissue wet-to-dry weight ratios in group IV (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that PDTC treatment significantly prevented the reperfusion injury caused by superior mesenteric I/R. Further clinical studies are needed to clarify whether PDTC may be a useful therapeutic agent to use in particular operations where the reperfusion injury occurs.     

Hyperinflation during lung preservation and increased reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND: Reperfusion injury after lung transplantation remains a perplexing and unpredictable problem. Most surgeons preserve the lung inflated, but the amount of inflation that should be used is not well documented. Therefore, we studied the effect of high inflation during organ preservation on lung function during reperfusion. Our hypothesis is that donor lung hyperinflation during storage contributes to early allograft dysfunction during reperfusion. METHODS: To test our hypothesis we used an isolated, blood-perfused, ventilated rabbit lung model. Group I lungs (control) underwent immediate reperfusion after harvest. Group II lungs (low-inflation, maintained at 6 mmHg airway pressure) and group III lungs (high-inflation, maintained at 20 mmHg airway pressure) were stored for 4 h in 4 degrees C Euro-Collins solution after harvest. All lungs were then reperfused with whole blood for 1 h, and measurements of arterial oxygenation (PO2, mmHg), pulmonary artery pressure (PAP, mmHg), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP, cm H2O), and wet-to-dry weight ratio (WTD) were obtained. RESULTS: Throughout the 1 h reperfusion period group III lungs had significantly lower oxygenation compared to groups I and II. In addition, throughout reperfusion, group III lungs showed significantly higher PAP and PIP compared to group II. WTD did not differ significantly between groups, however, there was a trend toward increased edema in group III. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that high inflation during cold storage results in acute pulmonary dysfunction. Careful monitoring of airway inflation pressure during storage, especially to prevent hyperinflation, should be maintained in the current practice for lung transplantation.     

The potential of ex vivo lung perfusion on improving organ quality and ameliorating ischemia reperfusion injury

Allogeneic lung transplantation (LuTx) is considered the treatment of choice for a broad range of advanced, progressive lung diseases resistant to conventional treatment regimens. Ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) occurring upon reperfusion of the explanted, ischemic lung during implantation remains a crucial mediator of primary graft dysfunction (PGD) and early allo-immune responses. Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) displays an advanced technique aiming at improving lung procurement and preservation. Indeed, previous clinical trials have demonstrated a reduced incidence of PGD following LuTx utilizing EVLP, while long-term outcomes are yet to be evaluated. Mechanistically, EVLP may alleviate donor lung inflammation through reconditioning the injured lung and diminishing IRI through storing the explanted lung in a non-ischemic, perfused, and ventilated status. In this work, we review potential mechanisms of EVLP that may attenuate IRI and improve organ quality. Moreover, we dissect experimental treatment approaches during EVLP that may further attenuate inflammatory events deriving from tissue ischemia, shear forces or allograft rejection associated with LuTx.     

Renal ischemia/reperfusion against nephrectomy for induction of acute lung injury in rats

Purpose: Acute kidney injury (AKI) induces acute lung injury (ALI) through releasing injurious mediators or impairing clearance of systemic factors. To determine the links between AKI and ALI, pulmonary and blood variables were evaluated following induction of AKI via different experimental models of bilateral renal ischemia/reperfusion (BIR: renal ischemia with uremia), unilateral renal ischemia/reperfusion (UIR: renal ischemia without uremia), bilateral nephrectomy (BNX: uremia without renal ischemia), and unilateral nephrectomy (UNX: without uremia and renal ischemia).

Methods: Ninety male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into six groups. Animals had 1-h bilateral or 2-h unilateral renal ischemia followed by 24-h reperfusion in the BIR and UIR groups, respectively, and 24-h period following bilateral or unilateral nephrectomy in the BNX and UNX groups, respectively. There were also sham and control groups with and without sham-operation, respectively.

Results: Plasma malondialdehyde and nitric oxide were elevated by BIR more than UIR, but not changed by UNX and BNX. UIR slightly increased plasma creatinine, whereas BIR and BNX largely increased plasma creatinine, urea, K^+?and osmolality and decreased arterial HCO₃^?, pH, and CO₂. UNX and UIR did not affect lung, but BIR and BNX induced ALI with equal capillary leak and macrophages infiltration. However, there were more prominent lung edema and vascular congestion following BNX and more severe neutrophils infiltration and P_aO₂/F_iO₂ reduction following BIR.

Conclusion: Acutely accumulated systemic mediators following renal failure in the absence of kidneys vary from those due to combined renal failure with ischemic-reperfused kidneys and consequently they induce ALI with distinct characteristics.     

Protection against acute porcine lung ischemia/reperfusion injury by systemic preconditioning via hind limb ischemia

Previous work on various organs and tissues has shown that ischemic preconditioning protects against reperfusion injury in these organs and also against secondary effects in the lung. In contrast, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of preconditioning in a remote organ (hind limb ischemia) on an ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) treatment of the lung itself. A porcine model of in situ left lung ischemia (90 min) and reperfusion (5 h) was used. Systemic preconditioning was induced by clamping the left common femoral artery (3 x 5 min). Lung injury was assessed in terms of pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary venous and arterial pO(2), and tissue macrophage counts. The zymosan-stimulated release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in whole blood was determined by a chemiluminometric procedure. Inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1beta and interleukin-6) were measured in arterial plasma as indicators of a systemic inflammatory reaction. Preconditioning by hind limb ischemia completely prevented the I/R-induced functional impairment of the lung, the pulmonary hypertension and the reduced oxygenation capacity. The plasma levels of interleukin-1beta and the macrophage counts in preconditioned animals were reduced to control values, whereas the levels of interleukin-6 and the release of ROS were not affected by preconditioning. In conclusion, systemic preconditioning by repeated hind limb ischemia protects against acute I/R injury of the lung but not against all indices of reperfusion-associated systemic inflammation.     

臭氧氧化预处理对大鼠肾缺血再灌注损伤的热休克蛋白表达的影响

目的 探讨臭氧氧化预处理通过诱导热休克蛋白70(HSP70)的合成,保护大鼠肾脏缺血再灌注损伤的作用与机制.方法 建立原位大鼠单侧肾缺血再灌注动物模型,I/R前15 d经直肠吹人氧气和臭氧的混合气体5.0～5.5 ml(臭氧浓度50 mg/L,1 mg/kg体重,每日1次).全自动生化分析仪检测尿素氮(BUN)、肌酐(Cr),比色法测定血清的脂质过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD).Western blot检测HSP70蛋白的含量;逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)方法检测HSPT0的表达.结果 肾缺血再灌注24 h后,血清中BUN、Cr、MDA明显增高,肾组织内HSP70表达明显增强(P＜0.05),经臭氧氧化预处理后,血清中的BUN、Cr、MDA均降低,SOD升高;HSP70表达升高更加明显(P＜0.05).结论 臭氧氧化预处理可以诱导大鼠肾缺血再灌注组织中HSP70表达,减轻大鼠肾脏缺血再灌注损伤.     

Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase reduces renal ischemia/reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND: The role of nitric oxide (NO) production because of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the pathogenesis of renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is unclear. In this study the roles of both iNOS and NO were characterized in a rat model of renal I/R injury. In addition, the effect of iNOS inhibition on renal function was evaluated. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 45 min of left renal ischemia and contralateral nephrectomy followed by various periods of reperfusion and renal function analysis [plasma creatinine, fractional excretion of sodium (FENa), creatinine clearance (CrCl), and measurement of plasma and urine NO levels]. In addition, the effect of treatment with 1400W, a highly selective iNOS inhibitor, was evaluated. RESULTS: Renal dysfunction peaked at 48 h after reperfusion and immunohistochemistry studies revealed iNOS expression in the vasculature (3 h) and renal tubules (48 h) after reperfusion. Renal function improved significantly in treated animals compared to controls [creatinine of 1.1 v. 1.9 mg/dl (P < 0.05) and CrCl of 0.54 v. 0.31 ml/min (P < 0.05), respectively]. In addition, FENa was decreased by 50%, plasma NO levels were significantly lower (32.7 v. 45.7 micromol/L, P < 0.01), and deposition of nitrotyosine in the tubules of treated rats was less than in control animals. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the hypothesis that iNOS and NO are involved in the pathogenesis of renal I/R injury and suggests that use of iNOS inhibitors may be a valuable therapeutic strategy clinical situations where renal I/R may be prevalent.     

核因子-κB在白细胞介导大鼠移植胰腺缺血再灌注损伤中的作用

目的 探讨核因子(NF)-κB在大鼠移植胰腺再灌注损伤中的作用及其可能机制.方法 应用同系大鼠异位全胰十二指肠移植模型,大鼠移植术前和术后5 min静脉注射NF-κB抑制剂脯氨酸二硫代氨基甲酸酯(ProDTC)(15 mg/kg),移植术后24 h经腹主动脉取血测定大鼠血清肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α、巨噬细胞炎性蛋白(MIP)-2浓度酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)、血糖、淀粉酶、脂肪酶水平.测定胰腺组织NF-κB p65蛋白含量(Western blot)、TNF-α mRNA、MIP-2 mRNA、细胞间黏附分子(ICAM)-1 mRNA表达逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)、髓过氧化物酶(MPO)活性.并进行组织学观察.结果 移植后24 h ProDTC组和对照组血清中TNF-α、MIP-2水平、胰腺组织中NF-κB p65蛋白含量、TNF-α mRNA、MIP-2 mRNA、ICAM-1 mRNA表达、MPO活性均升高,而ProDTC组水平明显低于对照组(P<0.05).移植后24 h血糖、脂肪酶水平在PmDTC组[(9.1±2.8)mmoL/L,(192±26)U/L]明显低于对照组[(13.0±3.1)mmol/L,(297±31)U/L,P<0.05].ProDTC组胰小叶间质水肿和胰小叶内中性粒细胞浸润较轻.结论 移植胰腺缺血再灌注后,NF-κB活化上调了TNF-α、MIP-2、ICAM-1表达从而增加中性粒细胞浸润,外源性应用NF-κB抑制剂ProDTC可以减轻移植胰腺缺血再灌注损伤.     

Preventive influence of inhaled nitric oxide on lung ischemia-reperfusion injury

n = 9). The control group was not administered NO (group II, n = 8). Severe ischemia-reperfusion injury occurred as evidenced by hypoxia and lung edema. PaO₂ at 120 min after reperfusion was 325 ± 41 mmHg in group I and 40 ± 6 mmHg in group II. The pulmonary blood flow of the left lung at 120 min after reperfusion was 51% ± 3% in group I and 20% ± 5% in group II. The wet-to-dry weight ratio was 5.5 ± 0.2 for the right lungs, 5.8 ± 0.8 for the left lung in group I, and 6.1 ± 0.4 for the left lung in group II. Histopathologically, marked hemorrhage, hyaline membrane formation, and leukocyte infiltration were observed in group II but not in group I. These data suggested that inhaled NO reduced warm ischemia-reperfusion injury in the lung, and also contributed to a better preserved lung function. (Received for publication on July, 13, 1998; accepted on Mar. 11, 1999)     

Therapeutic interventions against reperfusion injury in skeletal muscle

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the skeletal muscle is inevitable in many vascular and musculoskeletal traumas, diseases, free tissue transfers, and during time-consuming reconstructive and transplantation surgeries. Although skeletal muscle has a higher tolerance to ischemia than other organs, prolonged ischemia can still result in significant complications, including muscle necrosis and apoptosis. One of the major goals in the treatment of ischemia is early restoration of blood flow (reperfusion) to the area at risk. However, reperfusion has led to a new pathophysiologic condition called "reperfusion injury," a phenomenon which actually provokes a distinct degree of tissue injury. The purpose of this review is to examine the current state of understanding of I/R injury as well as to highlight recent developments on I/R interventions including our own experience in this particular field. We expect, as our acquired experience and the increased knowledge of underlying mechanisms of I/R injury, more effective interventions aimed to reduce I/R injury will be developed to interfere with or modulate this particular pathophysiologic processes.