Effects of peiminine preconditioning on ventilator-induced lung injury in mice

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of peiminine preconditioning on ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) in mice. Methods Thirty-two clean healthy male BALB/c mice, aged 9-10 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 4 groups (n=8 each) using a random number table: control group (group C), VILI group, dexamethasone group (group D) and peiminine preconditioning group (group P). Normal saline 0.2 ml was administered by intragastric gavage for 7 days in C and VILI groups, dexamethasone 10 mg/kg was administered by intragastric gavage for 7 days in group D, and peiminine 1 mg/kg was administered by intragastric gavage for 7 days in group P. VILI model (respiratory rate 80 breaths/min, tidal volume 40 ml/kg, fraction of inspired oxygen 21%, inspiratory/expiratory ratio 1∶2, for 4 h) was established on the 7th day of intragastric administration.After the end of ventilation, blood samples were collected from hearts for determination of serum interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentrations (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and bilateral lung tissues were obtained for examination of the pathological changes after haematoxylin and eosin staining and for determination of contents of aquaporin 1 (AQP-1) and AQP-5 in lung tissues. Results Compared with group C, the concentrations of IL-8 and TNF-α in serum were significantly increased and the contents of AQP-1 and AQP-5 in lung tissues were decreased in group VILI (P 0.05). Compared with group VILI, the concentrations of IL-8 and TNF-α in serum were significantly decreased, the content of AQP-1 in lung tissues was increased (P 0.05), and the pathological changes were significantly attenuated in D and P groups.Compared with group D, no significant change was found in concentrations of IL-8 and TNF-α in serum or contents of AQP-1 and AQP-5 in lung tissues (P>0.05), and the pathological changes were comparable in group P. Conclusion Peiminine preconditioning can reduce VILI in mice. Key words: Fritillaria; Respiration, artificial; Respiratory distress syndrome, adult