Protective effects of valproic acid on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rats

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of valproic acid (VPA) on acute lung injury induced by Lipopolysaccharide in rats. Method The rat model of acute lung injury was made by intravenous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The pathological changes of lung were observed under light microscope and inflammatory cytokines in serum detected by using ELISA to judge whether the model was successfully done or not. All rats were divided into three groups as per the different intervention agents employed. Rats in control group were treated with intravenous injection of NS in dose of 5 ml/kg, rats in LPS group were exposed to LPS with dosage of 10 mg/kg and model rats in LPS + VPA group were treated with VPA in dose of 300 mg/kg. The rats were sacrificed 6 h after LPS or NS administration. The blood PaO2 ,A-aDO2 and blood lactic acid (Lac) were measured, the lungs were removed for observing the histopathological changes and determination of wet/dry lung weight (W/D) ratio and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity as well as albumin concentration in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) . Seurm was collected to determine the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β( IL-1 β) by using LISA 6 h later. All data were presented in ((x)±s). One-way ANOVA was used for comparing differences between groups. Results Compared with acute lung injury group, the blood PaO2 (94. 50 ± 4.38 ) in rats of LPS + VPA group was higher, whereas A-aDO2 ( 13.50 ± 4.77 ) and blood lac( 2.13 ± 1. 02 ) in LPS + VPA group were lower. VPA significantly lowered W/D (5.33 ±0. 12) ratio and MPO activity (4.38 ±0. 42) in the lung. Albumin concentration ( 1. 260 ± 0. 039 ) in BALF, and the levels of TN F-α( 2 410 ±320 )and IL-1β( 1 220 ± 162 )in serum were lower in LPS + VPA group. The histological changes of lung injury were lessened by VPA. Conclusions Valproic acid has protective effects against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rats. Key words: Valproic acid; Lipopolysaccharide; Acute lung injury; Tumor necrosis factor-alpha; Interleukin-1 belta