Effect of a Stellate Ganglion Block on Acute Lung Injury in Septic Rats

A stellate ganglion block (SGB) is a clinical sympathetic block which can inhibit the body systemic inflammatory response. However, whether and how SGB can attenuate the sepsis-induced acute lung injury remains unclear. Here, we evaluated the effect of SGB on sepsis-induced acute lung injury in rats. Ninety healthy Sprague Dawley (SD) male rats were divided into three groups: the sham operation group (S group), sepsis group (Sep group), and SGB group. The sepsis model rats were produced by cecum ligation and puncture (CLP), and blood samples were taken from the abdominal aorta of the rats at different time points for evaluating the concentration of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The rats were sacrificed, and lungs were collected to measure the wet/dry (W/D) lung tissue weight ratio, score the lung tissue pathological damage by microscopic examination, determine the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity by spectrophotometry, and measure nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 expression by Western blot. The concentration of serum TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10, lung tissue W/D ratio, pathological injury score, MPO activity, and expression of NF-κB p65 were higher in the Sep group compared with the S group at T_1–4. Furthermore, the concentration of serum TNF-α and IL-6, lung tissue W/D ratio, pathological damage score, MPO activity, and expression of NF-κB p65 were reduced and the concentration of IL-10 was increased in the SGB group compared with the Sep group at T_1–4. The successful sepsis model rats were induced by CLP, and SGB attenuated the sepsis-induced acute lung injury in rats.     

草木犀流浸液片对脓毒症大鼠肺组织VEGF及肺血管通透性的影响

探讨草木犀流浸液片对盲肠结扎穿孔术(CLP)脓毒症大鼠肺VEGF及肺血管通透性的影响。将80只雄性SD大鼠随机分为四组:①正常对照组20只;②假手术组20只;③对照组20只;④治疗组20只。假手术组只开腹,不行CLP;对照组和治疗组建立CLP脓毒症模型。术前2h治疗组给予草木犀流浸液片20mg/kg,每8h一次,24h处死各组大鼠大鼠,观察肺组织VEGF mRNA、NF-κB mRNA、NF-κB p65及血清VEGF-a、TNF-α、IL-6、IL-1β、IL-8、IFN-γ、IL-10、IL-12的变化;同时测定肺组织通透性(EB)、湿/干重比(W/D)及肺组织病理变化。研究发现:与正常对照组比较,VEGFmRNA、NF-κB p65mRNA、NF-κB p65、VEGF、TNF-α、IL-6、IL-1β、IL-8、IFN-γ、IL-10、IL-12在假手术者无明显变化,差异无统计学意义P>0.05;对照组、治疗组显著升高,差异有非常显著意义P<0.01;与对照组比较,治疗组VEGF mRNA、NF-κB p65mRNA、NF-κB p65、VEGF、TNF-α、IL-6、IL-1β、IL-8显著降低,IFN-γ、IL-10、IL-12显著升高,差异有统计学意义P<0.05。VEGF mRNA与NF-κB mRNA、VEGF与NF-κB p65分别具有正相关性(r=0.852,P<0.05;r=0.794,P<0.05)。病检也发现,治疗组肺病病理损伤较对照组明显减轻。结果提示:草木犀流浸液片能够抑制CLP脓毒症大鼠肺组织NF-κB mRNA、VEGF mRNA的表达,降低血清VEGF、TNF-α、IL-6、IL-1β、IL-8水平,促进IFN-γ、IL-10、IL-12的产生,显著降低脓毒症大鼠肺组织微血管通透性,对脓毒症大鼠肺组织具有保护作用。     

Unfractionated Heparin Ameliorates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Lung Inflammation by Downregulating Nuclear Factor-κB Signaling Pathway

The present study aimed to determine the protective effects and the underlying mechanisms of unfractionated heparin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia and lung injury in rats. Rats were injected intravenously with LPS at 6 mg/kg. We examined the therapeutic effects of unfractionated heparin (100 or 300 U/kg) on LPS-induced endotoxemia by dosing intravenously simultaneously after LPS challenge. The animal lung edema degree was evaluated by wet/dry weight ratio. The levels of inflammatory mediators including interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) was evaluated by Western blotting. The investigations revealed that treatment with unfractionated heparin can attenuate inflammatory responses in a rat model of LPS-induced acute lung injury, and the effect was much better in 300 U/kg group. The mechanisms by which unfractionated heparin exerts its anti-inflammatory effect are correlated with inhibition of IL-1β and IL-6 production via inactivation of NF-κB.     

Erythropoietin Protects Rat Brain Injury from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning by Inhibiting Toll-Like Receptor 4/NF-kappa B-Dependent Inflammatory Responses

Inflammatory responses play critical roles in carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning-induced cerebral injury. The present study investigated whether erythropoietin (EPO) modulates the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) inflammatory signaling pathways in brain injury after acute CO poisoning. EPO (2500 and 5000 U/kg) was injected subcutaneously twice a day after acute CO poisoning for 2 days. At 48 h after treatment, the expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB as well as the levels of inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampal tissues were measured. Our results showed that CO poisoning induced a significant upregulation of TLR4, NF-κB, and inflammatory cytokines in the injured rat hippocampal tissues. Treatment with EPO remarkably suppressed the gene and protein expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB, as well as the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the hippocampal tissues. EPO treatment ameliorated CO poisoning-induced histological edema and neuronal necrosis. These results suggested that EPO protected against CO poisoning-induced brain damage by inhibiting the TLR4–NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway.     

1,8-Cineol Attenuates LPS-Induced Acute Pulmonary Inflammation in Mice

Eucalyptol, also known as 1,8-cineol, is a monoterpene and has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect. It is traditionally used to treat respiratory disorders due to its secretolytic properties. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of 1,8-cineol on pulmonary inflammation in a mouse model of acute lung injury. We found that 1,8-cineol significantly decreased the level of TNF-α and IL-1β, and increased the level of IL-10 in lung tissues after acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). It also reduced the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and myeloperoxidase activity in lung tissues. In addition, 1,8-cineol reduced the amounts of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), including neutrophils and macrophages, and significantly decreased the protein content in BALF and the lung wet/dry weight (W/D) ratio. Its effect on LPS-induced pulmonary inflammation was associated with suppression of TLR4 and NF-κB expressions. Our results provide evidence that 1,8-cineol inhibits acute pulmonary inflammation, indicating its potential for the treatment of acute lung injury.     

Salidroside Attenuates LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Rats

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of salidroside (Sal) on lung injury in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemic in vitro and in vivo. SD rats were randomly divided into five groups: control group, LPS group (15 mg kg^?1), LPS plus dexamethasone (2 mg kg^?1), and LPS plus Sal groups with different Sal doses (20 mg kg^?1, 40 mg kg^?1). Wet-to-dry weight (W/D) ratio was performed. Hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining of lung was performed. Lung level of myeloperoxidase (MPO) was measured. Serum levels of the activities of the anti-oxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), glutathione (GSH), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were measured. Caveolin-1 and TLR/NF-κB pathway proteins were detected by Western blot. In vitro, we evaluated the protective effect of Sal on A549 cell line induced by LPS. The activities of the antioxidant SOD, CAT, GSH and GPX, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in cellular supernatant were measured. Caveolin-1 and TLR/NF-κB pathway was examined by Western blot. As a result, Sal significantly attenuated the above indices. In addition, Sal exerts pronounced protective effects in rats subjected to LPS possibly through inhibiting the caveolin-1 and TLR/NF-κB pathway in vivo. Our results indicated that Sal could be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of lung injury disease.     

金黄葡萄球菌杀白细胞素(PVL)对THP-1巨噬细胞IL-8、IL-6表达的影响

目的 研究金黄葡萄球菌杀白细胞素( panton-valentine leucocidin,PVL)对THP-1巨噬细胞Toll样受体4(TLR4)/核因子κB(NF-κB)信号通路及IL-8、IL-6的表达影响,探讨PVL相关肺组织损伤的致病机制.方法 实验前用100nmol/L佛波酯(PMA)孵育THP-1细胞48...     

Systemic Administration of FC-77 Dampens Ischemia–Reperfusion-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Rats

Systemic administration of perfluorocarbons (PFCs) reportedly attenuates acute lung injury induced by acid aspiration and phorbol myristate acetate. However, the effects of PFCs on ischemia–reperfusion (IR)-induced lung injury have not been investigated. Typical acute lung injury was induced in rats by 60 min of ischemia and 60 min of reperfusion in isolated and perfused rat lung model. Rat lungs were randomly assigned to receive PBS (control), 1 % FC-77, IR only, or IR with different doses of FC-77 (0.1 %, 0.5 %, or 1 %). Subsequently, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), perfusate, and lung tissues were collected to evaluate the degree of lung injury. IR caused a significant increase in the following parameters: pulmonary arterial pressure, capillary filtration coefficient, lung weight gain, lung weight/body weight ratio, wet/dry lung weight ratio, and protein concentration in BALF. TNF-α and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 concentrations in perfusate samples and MDA concentration and MPO activities in lung tissues were also significantly increased. Histopathology showed increased septal thickness and neutrophil infiltration in the lung tissues. Furthermore, NF-κB activity was significantly increased in the lungs. However, pretreatment with 1 % FC-77 prior to IR significantly attenuated the increases in these parameters. In conclusion, our results suggest that systemic FC-77 administration had a protective effect on IR-induced acute lung injury. These protective mechanisms may have been mediated by the inhibition of NF-κB activation and attenuation of subsequent inflammatory response.     

Cepharanthine, an Alkaloid from Stephania cepharantha Hayata, Inhibits the Inflammatory Response in the RAW264.7 Cell and Mouse Models

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of cepharanthine (CEP) on inflammation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells in vitro and a LPS-induced lung injury model in vivo. RAW264.7 cells were treated with various concentrations of CEP for 1 h followed by incubation with or without 1 μg/ml LPS for 18 h. TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the supernatants were measured by ELISA. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways were analyzed by Western blot. Mice were randomly divided into control group, LPS group, CEP?+?LPS group, and dexamethasone?+?LPS group. A male BALB/c mouse model of acute lung injury was induced by LPS. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected for inflammatory cell count and cytokine assays. Histopathologic examination was performed on mice that were not subjected to bronchoalveolar lavage fluid collection. CEP dose-dependently inhibited the release of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Significantly, CEP dose-dependently suppressed NF-κB activation, IκBα degradation, and phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38 induced by LPS. In vivo, it was also observed that CEP attenuated lung histopathologic changes and down-regulated the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, in the mouse acute lung injury model. These results suggest that CEP potentially decreases inflammation in vitro and in vivo and might be a therapeutic agent against inflammatory diseases.     

NLRP3 inflammasome activation regulated by NF-κB and DAPK contributed to paraquat-induced acute kidney injury

Paraquat can result in dysfunction of multiple organs after ingestion in human. However, the mechanisms of nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation in acute kidney injury have not been clearly demonstrated. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and its regulation by nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and death-associated protein kinase (DAPK). Male Wistar rats were treated with intraperitoneal injection of paraquat at 20 mg/kg, and NF-κB inhibitor BAY 11-7082 was pretreated at 10 mg/kg 1 h before paraquat exposure. Additionally, rat renal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E) were transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) against DAPK to evaluate its role in NLRP3 inflammasome activation. DAPK and NLRP3 inflammasome were evaluated by immunohistochemistry staining or Western blot; the pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) were measured via ELISA. The results showed that NF-κB, DAPK, and NLRP3 inflammasome were activated in paraquat (PQ)-treated rat kidney; the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines was significantly increased. These toxic effects were attenuated by NF-κB inhibitor. Besides, the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 in paraquat-treated rat renal tubular epithelial cells were inhibited by siRNA against DAPK. In conclusion, NLRP3 inflammasome activation regulated by NF-κB and DAPK played an important role in paraquat-induced acute kidney injury.     

Chlorogenic Acid Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Kidney Injury by Inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB Signal Pathway

Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a polyphenolic compound, exists widely in medicinal herbs, which has been shown a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. This study investigated the protective effects and mechanism of CGA on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Treatment of CGA successfully ameliorates LPS-induced renal function and pathological damage. Moreover, CGA dose-dependently suppressed LPS-induced blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine levels, and inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in serum and tissue. The relative proteins’ expression of TLR4/NF-κB signal pathway was assessed by western blot analysis. Our results showed that CGA dose-dependently attenuated LPS-induced kidney histopathologic changes, serum BUN, and creatinine levels. CGA also suppressed LPS-induced TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β production both in serum and kidney tissues. Furthermore, our results showed that CGA significantly inhibited the LPS-induced expression of phosphorylated NF-κB p65 and IκB as well as the expression of TLR4 signal. In conclusion, our results provide a mechanistic explanation for the anti-inflammatory effects of CGA in LPS-induced AKI mice through inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.     

Propofol Protects Rats and Human Alveolar Epithelial Cells Against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury via Inhibiting HMGB1 Expression

High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) plays a key role in the development of acute lung injury (ALI). Propofol, a general anesthetic with anti-inflammatory properties, has been suggested to be able to modulate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. In this study, we investigated the effects of propofol on the expression of HMGB1 in a rat model of LPS-induced ALI. Rats underwent intraperitoneal injection of LPS to mimic sepsis-induced ALI. Propofol bolus (1, 5, or 10 mg/kg) was infused continuously 30 min after LPS administration, followed by infusion at 5 mg/(kg?·?h) through the left femoral vein cannula. LPS increased wet to dry weight ratio and myeloperoxidase activity in lung tissues and caused the elevation of total protein and cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Moreover, HMGB1 and other cytokine levels were increased in BALF and lung tissues and pathological changes of lung tissues were excessively aggravated in rats after LPS administration. Propofol inhibited all the above effects. It also inhibited LPS-induced toll-like receptor (TLR)2/4 protein upexpression and NF-κB activation in lung tissues and human alveolar epithelial cells. Propofol protects rats and human alveolar epithelial cells against HMGB1 expression in a rat model of LPS-induced ALI. These effects may partially result from reductions in TLR2/4 and NF-κB activation.     

绿茶多酚通过抑制TLR4通路减轻蛛网膜下腔出血大鼠早期脑损伤

目的 探讨绿茶多酚通过抑制TLR4通路对蛛网膜下腔出血大鼠早期脑损伤的影响.方法 建立大鼠蛛网膜下腔出血模型,随机分为模型组、绿茶多酚组、TAK-242(TLR4抑制剂)组、绿茶多酚+TAK-242组,每组12只;另取12只大鼠设为假手术组.药物处理后,对所有大鼠进行神经功能缺损评分,检测各组大鼠脑组织含水量,采用Ev...     

酮咯酸氨丁三醇抑制膝骨关节炎模型大鼠炎性反应

目的探究酮咯酸氨丁三醇(KT)对膝骨关节炎(KOA)模型大鼠炎性疼痛的影响,并从Toll样受体4(TLR4)/核因子-κB(NF-κB)炎性通路初步探究其作用机制。方法取大鼠,用随机数字表法分为:对照组、模型组、KT低(1 mg/kg)、高(4 mg/kg)剂量组、TAK-242组(TLR4拮抗剂,1 mg/kg);除对照组外,其余各组均用改良Hulth法复制大鼠右膝KOA模型;肌肉注射KT 1次/d,经尾静脉注射TAK-2422次/周。观察大鼠膝关节肿胀程度、活动状况,对自发疼痛行为步态评分及检测热痛阈值;取滑膜组织,HE及Masson染色检测组织病理形态变化及纤维组织增生状况;ELISA检测滑膜组织炎性因子白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)水平;Western blot检测神经突蛋白(neuritin)及通路蛋白TLR4、NF-κB及p-NF-κB、骨桥蛋白(OPN)、整合素金属蛋白酶4(ADAM4)蛋白表达。结果与对照组相比,模型组大鼠关节肿胀、疼痛、滑膜炎性损伤及纤维组织增生等KOA病理症状严重,滑膜IL-1β、TNF-α水平及疼痛指标neuritin表达升高、TLR4/NF-κB p65通路及相关蛋白OPN、ADAM4表达升高(P<0.05)。与模型组相比,KT低、高剂量组及TAK-242组大鼠KOA疼痛、滑膜炎性反应等病理症状缓解,TLR4/NF-κB p65通路及相关蛋白表达降低(P<0.05)。结论KT可缓解KOA模型大鼠滑膜炎性反应及疼痛症状,其缓解作用可能与阻断TLR4/NF-κB通路激活有关。     

虫草素联合谷氨酰胺对LPS诱导的脓毒症大鼠炎症失衡及肝肺病理变化的影响

目的　研究虫草素（cordycepin,Cop）联合谷氨酰胺（glutamine,Gln）对脂多糖（lipopolysaccharides,LPS）诱导的脓毒症大鼠炎症失衡和肝肺病理变化的影响及其可能机制。 方法　将大鼠按体重随机分为5组：对照组、模型组（LPS组）、LPS+Cop组、LPS+Gln组和LPS+Cop+Gln组,腹腔注射LPS（5 mg/kg）诱导建立脓毒症大鼠模型。ELISA检测外周血中炎症因子IL-6、TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-10的含量;HE染色观察肝肺组织的病理损伤情况;TUNEL染色观察肝肺组织的细胞凋亡情况;Western blot检测肝肺组织中Caspase-3表达水平及NF-κB p65的磷酸化情况 。 结果　LPS+Cop组、LPS+Gln组和LPS+Cop+Gln组均能逆转LPS诱导的促炎因子（IL-6、TNF-α、IL-1β）的高表达和抗炎因子（IL-10）的低表达（P<0.05）,减轻病理损伤,抑制细胞凋亡（P<0.05）,降低凋亡蛋白Caspase-3高表达（P<0.05）,下调NF-κB p65的磷酸化水平（P<0.05）。 结论　在LPS诱导的脓毒症大鼠模型中,虫草素联合谷氨酰胺能有效改善其炎症失衡和肝肺病理变化。     

虫草素联合谷氨酰胺对LPS诱导的脓毒症大鼠炎症失衡及肝肺病理变化的影响

目的　研究虫草素（cordycepin,Cop）联合谷氨酰胺（glutamine,Gln）对脂多糖（lipopolysaccharides,LPS）诱导的脓毒症大鼠炎症失衡和肝肺病理变化的影响及其可能机制。 方法　将大鼠按体重随机分为5组：对照组、模型组（LPS组）、LPS+Cop组、LPS+Gln组和LPS+Cop+Gln组,腹腔注射LPS（5 mg/kg）诱导建立脓毒症大鼠模型。ELISA检测外周血中炎症因子IL-6、TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-10的含量;HE染色观察肝肺组织的病理损伤情况;TUNEL染色观察肝肺组织的细胞凋亡情况;Western blot检测肝肺组织中Caspase-3表达水平及NF-κB p65的磷酸化情况 。 结果　LPS+Cop组、LPS+Gln组和LPS+Cop+Gln组均能逆转LPS诱导的促炎因子（IL-6、TNF-α、IL-1β）的高表达和抗炎因子（IL-10）的低表达（P<0.05）,减轻病理损伤,抑制细胞凋亡（P<0.05）,降低凋亡蛋白Caspase-3高表达（P<0.05）,下调NF-κB p65的磷酸化水平（P<0.05）。 结论　在LPS诱导的脓毒症大鼠模型中,虫草素联合谷氨酰胺能有效改善其炎症失衡和肝肺病理变化。     

大鼠重症急性胰腺炎肺损伤中PDTC预处理对NF-κB表达及细胞凋亡的调节作用

目的观察核因子-κB(NF-κB)在重症急性胰腺炎(SAP)大鼠胰、肺组织内的表达及肺组织内细胞凋亡情况。方法 SD大鼠60只,分为对照组、SAP组、二硫代氨基甲酸吡咯烷(pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate,PDTC)预处理组。5%牛磺胆酸钠胰胆管逆行注射诱发大鼠SAP模型。SP法观察NF-κB在胰、肺组织内的表达情况,TUNEL法检测肺组织内细胞凋亡情况。结果 SAP组各时间点NF-κB在胰、肺组织内的阳性表达水平与对照组相比均明显增加(P<0.01),PDTC预处理组各时间点NF-κB阳性表达水平与SAP组相比均明显减弱(P<0.05)。SAP组肺组织内凋亡指数高于相对应的对照组(P<0.05),PDTC预处理组凋亡指数均低于相对应的SAP组(P<0.05)。结论 NF-κB的激活和凋亡细胞的增多是加重肺损伤的重要因素之一。PDTC对SAP肺损伤的保护作用可能与抑制NF-κB激活及肺组织内细胞凋亡相关。     

Artesunate Inhibits Renal Ischemia Reperfusion-Stimulated Lung Inflammation in Rats by Activating HO-1 Pathway

Artesunate (AS), a semi-synthetic derivative of Artemisia, has been shown to exert a wide range of pharmacological effects, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions. However, the protective functions of AS on renal ischemia reperfusion injury (RIR)-stimulated lung inflammation remain unclear. In this research, acute lung injury (ALI) was stimulated by renal ischemia reperfusion injury (RIR). AS (15 mg/kg) was intraperitoneal administrated to rat 1 h before RIR stimulation. Serum and pulmonary NO, MDA, IL-6, MIP-2, and PGE₂ levels, arterial blood gas and biochemistry, lung wet/dry weight ratio and MPO activity, total cell number and protein concentration in BALF, tissue histology, and NF-κB expression were determined. The results indicated that serum and pulmonary NO, MDA, IL-6, MIP-2, and PGE₂ levels, lung wet/dry weight ratio and MPO activity, total cell number, and protein concentration in BALF enhanced after RIR stimulation. These alterations were mitigated by AS. AS attenuated lung wet/dry weight ratio and MPO activity, total cell number, and protein concentration in BALF. AS attenuated RIR-stimulated pulmonary NF-κB phosphorylation. In addition, these previously mentioned actions of AS were antagonized by suppressing HO-1 pathway. However, RIR-stimulated arterial blood gas and biochemistry and lung histopathology were also attenuated by AS. In summary, AS inhibited RIR-stimulated lung inflammation by activating HO-1 pathway.     

Anti-inflammatory Effects of Triptolide in LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice

Triptolide is one of the main active components of Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, which has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of triptolide on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice and to clarify the possible mechanisms. Mice were administered intranasally with LPS to induce lung injury. Triptolide was administered intraperitoneally 1 h before LPS challenge. Triptolide-treated mice exhibited significantly reduced leukocyte, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, edema of the lung, as well as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 production in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid compared with LPS-treated mice. Additionally, Western blot analysis showed that triptolide inhibited the phosphorylation of inhibitor-kappa B kinase-alpha (IκB-α), p65, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), p38, extracellular receptor kinase (ERK), and Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) caused by LPS. In conclusion, our results suggested that the promising anti-inflammatory mechanism of triptolide may be that triptolide activates peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), thereby attenuating an LPS-induced inflammatory response. Triptolide may be a promising potential therapeutic reagent for ALI treatment.     

Stevioside Protects LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice

Stevioside, a diterpene glycoside component of Stevia rebaudiana, has been known to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. To evaluate the effect and the possible mechanism of stevioside in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury, male BALB/c mice were pretreated with stevioside or dexamethasone 1 h before intranasal instillation of LPS. Seven hours later, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The number of total cells, neutrophils, and macrophages in the BALF were also determined. The right lung was excised for histological examination and analysis of myeloperoxidase activity and nitrate/nitrite content. Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), inhibitory kappa B protein were detected by western blot. The results showed that stevioside markedly attenuated the LPS-induced histological alterations in the lung. Stevioside inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the expression of COX-2 and iNOS induced by LPS. In addition, not only was the wet-to-dry weight ratio of lung tissue significantly decreased, the number of total cells, neutrophils, and macrophages in the BALF were also significantly reduced after treatment with stevioside. Moreover, western blotting showed that stevioside inhibited the phosphorylation of IκB-α and NF-κB caused by LPS. Taken together, our results suggest that anti-inflammatory effect of stevioside against the LPS-induced acute lung injury may be due to its ability of inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Stevioside may be a promising potential therapeutic reagent for acute lung injury treatment.