Abstract
ABSTRACTIntroduction: Toxicants such as ammonia, if inhaled, can damage respiratory tract leading to acute lung injury and pulmonary edema. Besides being a possible threat for the workers in chemical industry, easy availability and the toxic nature of ammonia may be used by terror groups for inflicting mass casualty among vulnerable population. In the present study, we have evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) to mitigate acute effects of ammonia on lung structure and antioxidant status in experimental animals. Methods: Acute lung injury (ALI) models were developed by inhalation of aerosols of liquid ammonia in male Sprague Dawley rats. AKG (5%) respiratory fluid was inhaled by nebulization once daily for 5 days. Animals were euthanized and their blood samples were collected for hematology and serum biochemistry analysis. Total cell count, total protein (TP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), antioxidant enzyme activity (CAT, SOD, GSH), and malonaldialdehyde (MDA) formation were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Results: Treatment with AKG showed significant lung protection by lowering the levels of total cell count, TP, LDH, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and MDA in BAL fluid. There was a marked increase in catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) content of BAL fluid post-AKG inhalation. Histopathology of lung tissue correlated with cellular and biochemical findings indicate therapeutic efficacy of AKG against ammonia-induced lung injuries. Conclusions: The data suggest a possible therapeutic role of AKG inhalation against ammonia-induced structural and inflammatory changes in the lung.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.