降钙素基因相关肽通过增加自噬对抗新生大鼠氧化应激性肺损伤

本研究组前期研究显示,降钙素基因相关肽(calcitonin gene-related peptide, CGRP)对高氧诱导的氧化应激性肺损伤具有保护作用。本研究旨在探讨细胞自噬是否参与CGRP对新生大鼠氧化应激性肺损伤的保护作用。新生Sprague-Dawley (SD)大鼠随机分为5组：空气对照组(Control组)、高氧损伤模型组(Model组)、CGRP干预组(Model+CGRP组)、Model+CGRP+自噬激动剂组(Model+CGRP+Rapamycin组)和Model+CGRP+自噬抑制剂组(Model+CGRP+LY294002组)。采用新生SD大鼠持续吸氧(吸入氧浓度百分比FiO2为90%～95%)14天的方法制备氧化应激性肺损伤模型。苏木精-伊红(HE)染色观察肺组织病理变化并测定肺泡平均线性截距(mean linear intercept, MLI)。透射电镜观察肺泡II型上皮细胞(type II alveolar epithelial cell,AECII)内自噬囊泡数量改变。Western blot检测肺组织裂解液中Caspase-3、Bcl-2、mTO...     

支气管肺发育不良小鼠模型的建立

目的建立支气管肺发育不良小鼠模型。方法将30只4日龄雌性昆明小鼠随机分为2组,每组15只,氧气组置于氧箱（FiO20.6）,空气组置于空气中（FiO20.21）,分别于暴露7 d、14 d、21 d时每组随机选取5只,称重后处死,观察肺组织形态学、放射状肺泡计数（radical alveolar counts,RAC）及肺胶原含量变化。结果氧气组各时间点体重较空气组均明显降低（P〈0.001）;实验21 d时氧气组肺组织HE染色下见正常肺泡结构破坏,肺泡隔增厚,肺泡融合;氧气组RAC较空气组显著降低（P〈0.001）;肺胶原天狼猩红特殊染色见Ⅰ型、Ⅲ型胶原增生,较空气组显著增加（P〈0.001）。结论中等浓度氧（FiO20.6）暴露21 d可致小鼠肺发生类似人类支气管肺发育不良改变。     

姜黄素对高氧致新生鼠支气管肺发育不良的保护作用

目的 研究姜黄素对高氧暴露致新生鼠支气管肺发育不良的影响,探讨其作用机制.方法 给予出生6 h内的SD大鼠持续60%氧暴露14d建立肺损伤模型.通氧的同时予姜黄索100 ms/(kg·d)灌胃.观察肺组织病理学改变,进行辐射状肺泡计数(RAC),末端脱氧核苷酸转移酶介导的dUTP缺口标记技术(TUNEL)检测肺组织细胞凋亡.免疫组化和Western blot法检测肺组织活化半胱氨酸蛋白酶-3(Caspase-3)的表达.结果 与空气对照组相比,随着氧暴露时间的延长,高氧组的大鼠出现肺发育停滞的典型病理表现:肺泡增大、结构简化,肺泡隔增厚.RAC明显减少,肺组织细胞凋亡明显增加,免疫组化和Western blot法均显示肺组织活化Caspase-3表达明显升高.姜黄素能改善损伤的肺病理结构,并在干预14d后使RAC显著增多,肺组织凋亡细胞显著减少,干预4d后肺组织活化Caspase-3显著降低.结论 姜黄素可减轻高氧暴露所致的BPD,可能是通过抗凋亡机制实现其保护作用.     

辛伐他汀对急性肺损伤及囊性纤维化跨膜传导调节体表达的影响

目的:探讨辛伐他汀对急性肺损伤大鼠囊性纤维化跨膜传导调节体(CFTR氯离子通道)的影响及其对减轻急性肺损伤的作用。方法:40只雄性SD大鼠随机分为空白组、模型组、辛伐他汀低剂量组(20 mg/kg)、辛伐他汀中剂量组(40 mg/kg)、辛伐他汀高剂量组(80 mg/kg);气道内滴注脂多糖(10 mg/kg)制备急性肺损伤模型。进行肺湿/干重比、肺泡灌洗液蛋白检测,HE染色观察肺组织的病理变化;实时荧光定量PCR检测肺组织匀浆CFTR mRNA表达。结果:结果显示,模型组的肺湿干重比,肺泡灌洗液蛋白较空白组高(P0.05),病理示肺泡膈增厚,大量炎性细胞浸润,肺泡腔内可见红细胞及血肿,提示模型复制成功。辛伐他汀低剂量组的肺湿/干重比、肺泡灌洗液蛋白与模型组相比无明显差异,病理可见肺损伤较重,与模型组相比无改善;CFTR mRNA表达与模型组相比稍高但无明显差异(P0.05)。辛伐他汀中高剂量组中肺湿/干重比、肺泡灌洗液蛋白与模型组相比有所降低,肺组织CFTRmRNA表达较模型组明显增加(P0.05),但中高剂量组之间无明显差异(P0.05);病理可见肺泡膈增厚,极少见炎性细胞浸润及透明膜,肺泡腔内未见明显出血和水肿,肺损伤程度较模型组减轻。结论:中高剂量的辛伐他汀(40 mg/kg)对急性肺损伤有一定保护作用,并上调CFTR的表达。     

EGCG对大鼠放射性肺损伤的防治作用及机制探索

目的:研究表没食子儿茶素-3-没食子酸酯(EGCG)对大鼠放射性肺损伤的防治作用及相关机制。方法:用60Co源γ射线单次照射SD大鼠全肺,构建放射性肺损伤模型,激素治疗组和EGCG治疗组大鼠分别给予地塞米松注射液和EGCG治疗;以肺系数、HE染色、Masson染色和肺组织羟脯氨酸(HYP)含量观察及评价EGCG对放射性肺炎及纤维化的改善情况;检测血清总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活力和丙二醛(MDA)含量;用Western印迹检测肺组织Nrf-2、HO-1、NQO-1的表达。结果:EGCG可明显减轻肺脏充血水肿,减低肺系数、肺组织HYP含量、肺泡炎及肺纤维化评分;EGCG可明显降低血清MDA水平,提高血清T-SOD活力,上调大鼠肺组织细胞Nrf-2、HO-1、NQO-1的表达水平。结论:EGCG能明显改善放射性肺损伤及纤维化病变,可能是通过Nrf2-ARE信号途径增加抗氧化酶表达,提高机体抗氧化能力而发挥治疗作用的。     

超声造影技术评价兔腹主动脉斑块内新生血管形成及斑块稳定性的研究

目的:通过超声造影技术评价不同时间点兔主动脉粥样硬化斑块内新生血管的变化,并进一步判断斑块稳定性。方法:60只纯种新西兰大白兔随机分为4组,每组15只。正常对照组、高脂饲养组、球囊损伤组、球囊损伤联合高脂饲养组。分别于第8、14、20周进行超声造影检查,比较斑块及斑块内新生血管形成率。20周后抽血测定血脂及炎性因子水平。处死动物,取腹主动脉,HE染色观察斑块形态及组成成分,并统计各组存活率。结果:高脂饲养组与高脂饲养联合球囊损伤组血脂无显著差异,但明显高于对照组(P<0.05);高脂饲养联合球囊损伤斑块内新生血管明显多于单纯高脂饲养以及球囊损伤组(P<0.05)。HE染色提示高脂饲养联合球囊损伤组不稳定斑块明显多于单纯高脂饲养以及球囊损伤组。结论:超声造影可以明确动脉粥样硬化斑块内新生血管,并进一步判断斑块稳定性。     

肺泡Ⅱ型上皮细胞转分化

哺乳动物肺泡上皮细胞主要由肺泡Ⅱ型上皮细胞（AECⅡ）和肺泡Ⅰ型上皮细胞（AECⅠ）组成。在肺发育和肺损伤修复过程中,AECⅡ可转分化为AECⅠ,体外原代培养的AECⅡ有这种转分化的特性。现对AECⅡ转分化的标志、影响及调控因素及其在肺损伤中的作用进行综述。     

延迟5分钟剖宫产造全脑缺氧缺血新生大鼠模型

目的建立围产期全脑缺氧缺血性损伤的新生大鼠模型。方法 SD雌性大鼠妊娠21 d时,颈椎脱臼法处死,用止血钳夹闭双侧子宫角血管5 min后,剖宫产取出新生大鼠,交由代乳鼠喂养。结果造模组雌性大鼠9只,共娩出新生大鼠91只,出生3 d内死亡7只,死亡率7.7%。新生大鼠出生第2天进行翻身实验,第14天进行悬吊实验和斜坡实验,造模组和其余各组均有显著性差异。新生大鼠出生后21 d,取脑组织切片行HE染色,显示大脑皮层典型的缺氧缺血性损伤,与正常组相比,可见神经细胞明显的病理形态学改变。结论采用延迟5min剖宫产和代乳鼠喂养的方法,操作简便,并结合行为学测试筛选行为异常者,可建立稳定可靠、可供长期实验使用的围产期全脑缺氧缺血性损伤的新生大鼠模型。     

血管紧张素转换酶2调节肺肾素血管紧张素系统减轻肢体缺血再灌注诱导的急性肺损伤

目的探讨血管紧张素转换酶2(angiotensin converting enzyme 2,ACE2)对小鼠肢体缺血再灌注诱导的急性肺损伤的保护作用和机制。方法雄性野生型和ACE2转基因(过表达ACE2基因) ICR小鼠随机分为6组(n=18):野生对照组、野生模型组、ACE2对照组、ACE2模型组、ACE2模型+A779干预组和ACE2模型+MLN-4760干预组。采用橡皮筋结扎双侧后肢根部的方法建立急性肺损伤模型(缺血2 h,再灌注4 h)。HE染色观察肺组织病理学变化;肺组织脏器系数、湿/干重比、支气管肺泡灌洗液(bronchoalveolar lavage fluid,BALF)细胞计数和蛋白浓度检测肺组织含水量和肺泡毛细血管通透性;酶联免疫吸附法检测BALF中白介素-6(interleukin-6,IL-6)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α),以及肺组织血管紧张素Ⅱ(angiotensin Ⅱ,Ang Ⅱ)/Ang-(1-7)的浓度。qRT-PCR法分析肺组织ACE/ACE2的mRNA表达。Western Blot法检测肺组织ACE/ACE2和AT1/Mas受体的蛋白表达。结果与野生模型组相比,过表达ACE2基因可减轻肺组织病变,降低肺泡毛细血管通透性,降低BALF炎性细胞因子表达,逆转肺组织肾素-血管紧张素系统(renin angiotensin system,RAS)稳态失衡。而且ACE2的这些保护作用被特异性ACE2抑制剂MLN-4760和Mas受体阻断剂A779所消除。结论 ACE2可通过ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-Mas轴改善肺组织局部RAS稳态失衡减轻急性肺损伤。     

博来霉素致肺纤维化大鼠形态学变化的实验研究

目的　观察博来霉素 (Bleomycin ,BLM)致大鼠肺纤维化模型的形态学及胶原含量的变化 ,探讨其发生机制。方法　健康SD大鼠 ,BLM 5mg (kg·bw)复制大鼠肺纤维化模型 ,于 1、3、7、14、2 8d ,观察肺纤维化形成的病理变化和肺匀浆羟脯氨酸 (HYP)的含量变化。结果　光镜所见 :给予BLM后 1- 7d肺部病变以肺泡炎为主 ,14d以后则进入慢性纤维化阶段。电镜所见 :模型组 3- 7dⅠ型细胞受损 ;Ⅱ型细胞增生 ,其内板层小体明显增多 ,线粒体嵴消失甚至出现空泡样变 ;14 - 2 8dⅡ型细胞数目减少 ,纤维组织增生。模型组肺组织匀浆HYP含量于 7d开始明显增加 ,2 8d达高峰。结论　博来霉素诱发大鼠肺纤维化早期以肺泡炎为主 ,7d开始出现肺纤维化 ,2 8d肺纤维化为主要病变     

Effects of leukotriene inhibition on pulmonary morphology in rat pup lungs exposed to hyperoxia

Assisted ventilation is necessary for treating preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome. Unfortunately, high and prolonged concentrations of oxygen associated with assisted ventilation often lead to pulmonary changes, such as hemorrhage and inflammation. The resulting chronic pulmonary condition is known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Pulmonary changes characteristic of this syndrome can be produced in rat pups exposed to high oxygen levels. We exposed 21-d-old rats to room air or continuous 95% oxygen for 7 d and then allocated them into 6 groups to evaluate whether treatment with zileuton and zafirlukast, 2 agents which decrease the effects of leukotrienes, lessened the pulmonary effects of short-term hyperoxia. After 7 d, lung tissue was collected for light and electron microscopy. Pulmonary changes including edema, hemorrhage, alveolar macrophage influx, and Type II pneumocyte proliferation were graded on a numerical scoring system. Compared with controls exposed to hyperoxia [corrected] and saline, rats exposed to hyperoxia and treated with zileuton had significantly reduced levels of alveolar macrophage influx and Type II pneumocyte proliferation, but those exposed to hyperoxia [corrected] and treated with zafirlukast showed no significant reduction in any pulmonary changes. This study helps define pulmonary changes induced secondary to hyperoxia in rat pups and presents new information on the mechanisms of leukotriene inhibition in decreasing the severity of hyperoxic lung injury.     

Phosphodiesterase 4 inhibition attenuates persistent heart and lung injury by neonatal hyperoxia in rats

Phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4 inhibitors are potent anti-inflammatory drugs with antihypertensive properties, and their therapeutic role in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is still controversial. We studied the role of PDE4 inhibition with piclamilast on normal lung development and its therapeutic value on pulmonary hypertension (PH) and right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) in neonatal rats with hyperoxia-induced lung injury, a valuable model for premature infants with severe BPD. The cardiopulmonary effects of piclamilast treatment (5 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1)) were investigated in two models of experimental BPD: 1) daily treatment during continuous exposure to hyperoxia for 10 days; and 2) late treatment and injury-recovery in which pups were exposed to hyperoxia or room air for 9 days, followed by 9 or 42 days of recovery in room air combined with treatment started on day 6 of oxygen exposure until day 18. Prophylactic piclamilast treatment reduced pulmonary fibrin deposition, septum thickness, arteriolar wall thickness, arteriolar vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and RVH, and prolonged survival. In the late treatment and injury-recovery model, hyperoxia caused persistent aberrant alveolar and vascular development, PH, and RVH. Treatment with piclamilast in both models reduced arteriolar wall thickness, attenuated RVH, and improved right ventricular function in the injury recovery model, but did not restore alveolarization or angiogenesis. Treatment with piclamilast did not show adverse cardiopulmonary effects in room air controls in both models. In conclusion, PDE4 inhibition attenuated and partially reversed PH and RVH, but did not advance alveolar development in neonatal rats with hyperoxic lung injury or affect normal lung and heart development.     

Recombinant human VEGF treatment transiently increases lung edema but enhances lung structure after neonatal hyperoxia

Recent studies suggest that VEGF may worsen pulmonary edema during acute lung injury (ALI), but, paradoxically, impaired VEGF signaling contributes to decreased lung growth during recovery from ALI due to neonatal hyperoxia. To examine the diverse roles of VEGF in the pathogenesis of and recovery from hyperoxia-induced ALI, we hypothesized that exogenous recombinant human VEGF (rhVEGF) treatment during early neonatal hyperoxic lung injury may increase pulmonary edema but would improve late lung structure during recovery. Sprague-Dawley rat pups were placed in a hyperoxia chamber (inspired O(2) fraction 0.9) for postnatal days 2-14. Pups were randomized to daily intramuscular injections of rhVEGF(165) (20 microg/kg) or saline (controls). On postnatal day 14, rats were placed in room air for a 7-day recovery period. At postnatal days 3, 14, and 21, rats were killed for studies, which included body weight and wet-to-dry lung weight ratio, morphometric analysis [including radial alveolar counts (RAC), mean linear intercepts (MLI), and vessel density], and lung endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) protein content by Western blot analysis. Compared with room air controls, hyperoxia increased pulmonary edema by histology and wet-to-dry lung weight ratios at postnatal day 3, which resolved by day 14. Although treatment with rhVEGF did not increase edema in control rats, rhVEGF increased wet-to-dry weight ratios in hyperoxia-exposed rats at postnatal days 3 and 14 (P < 0.01). Compared with room air controls, hyperoxia decreased RAC and increased MLI at postnatal days 14 and 21. Treatment with VEGF resulted in increased RAC by 181% and decreased MLI by 55% on postnatal day 14 in the hyperoxia group (P < 0.01). On postnatal day 21, RAC was increased by 176% and MLI was decreased by 58% in the hyperoxia group treated with VEGF. rhVEGF treatment during hyperoxia increased eNOS protein on postnatal day 3 by threefold (P < 0.05). We conclude that rhVEGF treatment during hyperoxia-induced ALI transiently increases pulmonary edema but improves lung structure during late recovery. We speculate that VEGF has diverse roles in hyperoxia-induced neonatal lung injury, contributing to lung edema during the acute stage of ALI but promoting repair of the lung during recovery.     

Continuous enteral nutrition attenuates pulmonary edema in rats exposed to 100% oxygen.

Adult rats exposed to hyperoxia develop anorexia, weight loss, and a lung injury characterized by pulmonary edema and decreased lung liquid clearance. We hypothesized that maintenance of nutrition during hyperoxia could attenuate hyperoxia-induced pulmonary edema. To test this hypothesis, we enterally fed adult male Sprague-Dawley rats via gastrostomy tubes and exposed them to oxygen (inspired O(2) fraction >0.95) for 64 h. In contrast to controls, enterally fed hyperoxic animals did not lose weight and had smaller pleural effusions and wet-to-dry weight ratios (a measure of lung edema) that were not different from room air controls. Enterally fed rats exposed to hyperoxia had increased levels of mRNA for the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase alpha(1)- and beta(1)-subunits and glutathione peroxidase. These findings suggest that maintenance of nutrition during an oxidative lung injury reduces lung edema, perhaps by allowing for continued expression and function of protective proteins such as the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase.     

Parathyroid hormone-related protein reduces alveolar epithelial cell proliferation during lung injury in rats

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is a growth inhibitor for alveolar type II cells and could be a regulatory factor for alveolar epithelial cell proliferation after lung injury. We investigated lung PTHrP expression in rats exposed to 85% oxygen. Lung levels of PTHrP were significantly decreased between 4 and 8 days of hyperoxia, concurrent with increased expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and increased incorporation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) into DNA in lung corner cells. PTHrP receptor was present in both normal and hyperoxic lung. To test whether the fall in PTHrP was related to cell proliferation, we instilled PTHrP into lungs on the fourth day of hyperoxia. Eight hours later, BrdU labeling in alveolar corner cells was 3.2 +/- 0.4 cells/high-power field in hyperoxic PBS-instilled rats compared with 0.5 +/- 0.3 cells/high-power field in PTHrP-instilled rats (P < 0. 01). Thus PTHrP expression changes in response to lung injury due to 85% oxygen and may regulate cell proliferation.     

GM-CSF and the impaired pulmonary innate immune response following hyperoxic stress

We have previously demonstrated that mice exposed to sublethal hyperoxia (an atmosphere of >95% oxygen for 4 days, followed by return to room air) have significantly impaired pulmonary innate immune response. Alveolar macrophages (AM) from hyperoxia-exposed mice exhibit significantly diminished antimicrobial activity and markedly reduced production of inflammatory cytokines in response to stimulation with LPS compared with AM from control mice in normoxia. As a consequence of these defects, mice exposed to sublethal hyperoxia are more susceptible to lethal pneumonia with Klebsiella pneumoniae than control mice. Granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a growth factor produced by normal pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells that is critically involved in maintenance of normal AM function. We now report that sublethal hyperoxia in vivo leads to greatly reduced alveolar epithelial cell GM-CSF expression. Systemic treatment of mice with recombinant murine GM-CSF during hyperoxia exposure preserved AM function, as indicated by cell surface Toll-like receptor 4 expression and by inflammatory cytokine secretion following stimulation with LPS ex vivo. Treatment of hyperoxic mice with GM-CSF significantly reduced lung bacterial burden following intratracheal inoculation with K. pneumoniae, returning lung bacterial colony-forming units to the level of normoxic controls. These data point to a critical role for continuous GM-CSF activity in the lung in maintenance of normal AM function and demonstrate that lung injury due to hyperoxic stress results in significant impairment in pulmonary innate immunity through suppression of alveolar epithelial cell GM-CSF expression.     

Hyperoxic inhibition of newborn rat lung development: protection by deferoxamine.

Prolonged exposure to hyperoxia markedly inhibits normal lung development (alveolarization and respiratory surface area expansion) in immature animals. Since (a) hyperoxia results in excess hydroxyl radical (OH.) formation, (b) (OH.) is implicated in O2-induced lipid peroxidation and DNA alterations, and (c) both OH. formation and its interaction with DNA are Fe++ dependent; chelation of Fe++ should act to protect against pulmonary O2 toxicity and hyperoxic inhibition of lung development. We therefore treated litters of newborn rats with the iron chelator Deferoxamine mesylate (DES) (150 mg/kg/day) during a 10-day exposure to greater than 95% O2. Morphometric analysis demonstrated that compared to the mean airspace size in air control rat pups (Lm = 44.5 microns), hyperoxic exposure resulted in a 34% larger mean air space diameter in O2-saline rat lungs (59.5 microns) versus only an 11% enlargement in O2-DES lungs (51.1 microns*). Lung internal surface area (cm2) per 100-g body weight were air control = 4480, O2-saline = 3570 (decreases 20.3%), and O2-DES = 4125* (decreases 7.9%) (*p less than 0.05 versus O2-saline group). DES-treated animals also had significantly decreased lung conjugated diene levels during hyperoxic exposure and increased lung elastin content (reflective of preserved lung alveolar formation) compared to O2-saline rats. These results indicate that DES treatment substantially ameliorated the inhibitory effects of neonatal hyperoxic exposure on normal lung development.     

Hyperoxia disrupts pulmonary epithelial barrier in newborn rats via the deterioration of occludin and ZO-1

Background

Prolonged exposure to hyperoxia in neonates can cause hyperoxic acute lung injury (HALI), which is characterized by increased pulmonary permeability and diffuse infiltration of various inflammatory cells. Disruption of the epithelial barrier may lead to altered pulmonary permeability and maintenance of barrier properties requires intact epithelial tight junctions (TJs). However, in neonatal animals, relatively little is known about how the TJ proteins are expressed in the pulmonary epithelium, including whether expression of TJ proteins is regulated in response to hyperoxia exposure. This study determines whether changes in tight junctions play an important role in disruption of the pulmonary epithelial barrier during hyperoxic acute lung injury.

Methods

Newborn rats, randomly divided into two groups, were exposed to hyperoxia (95% oxygen) or normoxia for 1–7 days, and the severity of lung injury was assessed; location and expression of key tight junction protein occludin and ZO-1 were examined by immunofluorescence staining and immunobloting; messenger RNA in lung tissue was studied by RT-PCR; transmission electron microscopy study was performed for the detection of tight junction morphology.

Results

We found that different durations of hyperoxia exposure caused different degrees of lung injury in newborn rats. Treatment with hyperoxia for prolonged duration contributed to more serious lung injury, which was characterized by increased wet-to-dry ratio, extravascular lung water content, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF):serum FD4 ratio. Transmission electron microscopy study demonstrated that hyperoxia destroyed the structure of tight junctions and prolonged hyperoxia exposure, enhancing the structure destruction. The results were compatible with pathohistologic findings. We found that hyperoxia markedly disrupted the membrane localization and downregulated the cytoplasm expression of the key tight junction proteins occludin and ZO-1 in the alveolar epithelium by immunofluorescence. The changes of messenger RNA and protein expression of occludin and ZO-1 in lung tissue detected by RT-PCR and immunoblotting were consistent with the degree of lung injury.

Conclusions

These data suggest that the disruption of the pulmonary epithelial barrier induced by hyperoxia is, at least in part, due to massive deterioration in the expression and localization of key TJ proteins.     

Depletion of pulmonary EC-SOD after exposure to hyperoxia

Extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) is highly expressed in lung tissue. EC-SOD contains a heparin-binding domain that is sensitive to proteolysis. This heparin-binding domain is important in allowing EC-SOD to exist in relatively high concentrations in specific regions of the extracellular matrix and on cell surfaces. EC-SOD has been shown to protect the lung against hyperoxia in transgenic and knockout studies. This study tests the hypothesis that proteolytic clearance of EC-SOD from the lung during hyperoxia contributes to the oxidant-antioxidant imbalance that is associated with this injury. Exposure to 100% oxygen for 72 h resulted in a significant decrease in EC-SOD levels in the lungs and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice. This correlated with a significant depletion of EC-SOD from the alveolar parenchyma as determined by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. EC-SOD mRNA was unaffected by hyperoxia; however, there was an increase in the ratio of proteolyzed to uncut EC-SOD after hyperoxia, which suggests that hyperoxia depletes EC-SOD from the alveolar parenchyma by cutting the heparin-binding domain. This may enhance hyperoxic pulmonary injury by altering the oxidant-antioxidant balance in alveolar spaces.     

Protective Effects of Valproic Acid,a Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor,against Hyperoxic Lung Injury in a Neonatal Rat Model

ObjectiveHistone acetylation and deacetylation may play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory lung diseases. We evaluated the preventive effect of valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, on neonatal hyperoxic lung injury.MethodsForty newborn rat pups were randomized in normoxia, normoxia+VPA, hyperoxia and hyperoxia+VPA groups. Pups in the normoxia and normoxia+VPA groups were kept in room air and received daily saline and VPA (30 mg/kg) injections, respectively, while those in hyperoxia and hyperoxia+VPA groups were exposed to 95% O₂ and received daily saline and VPA (30 mg/kg) injections for 10 days, respectively. Growth, histopathological, biochemical and molecular biological indicators of lung injury, apoptosis, inflammation, fibrosis and histone acetylation were evaluated.ResultsVPA treatment during hyperoxia significantly improved weight gain, histopathologic grade, radial alveolar count and lamellar body membrane protein expression, while it decreased number of TUNEL(+) cells and active Caspase-3 expression. Expressions of TGFβ3 and phospho-SMAD2 proteins and levels of tissue proinflammatory cytokines as well as lipid peroxidation biomarkers were reduced, while anti-oxidative enzyme activities were enhanced by VPA treatment. VPA administration also reduced HDAC activity while increasing acetylated H3 and H4 protein expressions.ConclusionsThe present study shows for the first time that VPA treatment ameliorates lung damage in a neonatal rat model of hyperoxic lung injury. The preventive effect of VPA involves HDAC inhibition.