Abstract
Aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) is expressed in lung endothelial cells and regulates water transport; thus, AQP-1 plays an important role in a number of edema-associated lung diseases. Qing Yin Tang (QYT), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to effectively reduce the mortality rate of acute lung injury (ALI) induced by severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). The current study aimed to investigate the detailed mechanisms underlying the effects of QYT on ALI induced by SAP, particularly the effects on the expression levels of AQP-1 in the lung tissue. ALI was established in Wister rats who were subsequently divided into four groups: SHAM, ALI, dexamethasone (DEX) and QYT groups (n=8 per group). In the QYT group, 20 ml/kg QYT was administered by gavage immediately following the induction of SAP. Blood and lung tissues were collected 8 h following the induction of pancreatitis. The lung wet/dry ratio, as well as the levels of blood gases, serum amylase and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were measured at 4, 8 and 12 h following SAP-associated ALI induction surgery. The expression levels of AQP-1 in the lung tissue were detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. No statistically significant differences were observed with regard to the levels of serum amylase, wet/dry ratio, partial pressure of oxygen, serum TNF-α and pathological changes in the pulmonary tissue between the QYT and DEX groups; however, a statistically significant difference was observed when compared with the ALI group. The expression levels of AQP-1 significantly increased (P<0.05) and lung edema was alleviated in the QYT and DEX groups, when compared with ALI group. Therefore, the expression level of AQP-1 is associated with pulmonary edema. QYT protects the lungs from injury induced by SAP via the upregulation of AQP-1, which suppresses TNF-α expression.
Highlights
Aquaporins (AQPs) are water‐selective membrane channel proteins that are expressed in numerous epithelial and endothelial cells of fluid transporting tissues, including the kidneys, eyes and lungs, where rapid regulated transport of water is required [1,2]
Saadoun et al revealed that angiogenesis and endothelial cell migration were impaired in AQP‐1‐null mice, which demonstrated that AQPs play an important role in angiogenesis and the spread of tumors [7]
The present study revealed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of AQP‐1 were significantly downregulated (P
Summary
Aquaporins (AQPs) are water‐selective membrane channel proteins that are expressed in numerous epithelial and endothelial cells of fluid transporting tissues, including the kidneys, eyes and lungs, where rapid regulated transport of water is required [1,2]. Previous studies have revealed that AQP‐1 is widely expressed in a variety of tissues, including the kidney tubules, microvascular endothelium, salivary glands and ciliary epithelium [5,6]. A previous study demonstrated that the expression levels of AQP‐1 and AQP‐5 decreased in lungs with pulmonary edema following viral infection [17]. Qin Yin Tang (QYT), a formula used in Chinese medicine, has demonstrated efficiency in reducing the mortality rate in the clinical treatment of ALI following SAP; the associated mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of QYT on the expression of AQP‐1 following the induction of SAP in the lungs
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