Protective effects of erythropoietin towards acute lung injuries in rats with sepsis and its related mechanisms

摘要

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of erythropoietin (EPO) in acute lung injuries in rats with sepsis. 127 male SD rats were divided into 3 groups (n=8): group Sham, group ALI (sepsis-caused lung injury), group EPO (EPO intervention). The blood gas analysis, C-reactive protein level (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-* (TNF-*), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10 were detected and compared. The water content fraction and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities, apoptosis, and expression level of nuclear factor -#B (NF#B p65) in lung tissues were also detected. Compared to group Sham, the oxygenation index of group ALI was decreased (140.66±12.82 vs. 194.7±16.36), CRP (peak value: 2.31±0.33 mg/L vs. 1.00±0.16 mg/L), IL-10 (peak value: 711.26±84.97 ng/L vs. 51.21±11.45 ng/L), TNF-a (63.69±6.85 ng/L vs. 12.92±0.91 ng/L), and IL-6 (peak value: 1768.93±195.11 ng/L vs. 68.71±11.48 ng/L) increased (P<0.01), and the lung cell apoptosis and expression of NF-#B p65 (302.75±51.38 vs. 121.46±11.79) were also increased (P<0.01), and there was a recovery of EPO group (P<0.01). Group ALI exhibited pulmonary interstitial and alveolar edema, hemorrhage, and lung collapse, but the EPO intervention significantly reduced the above lung pathological changes (the water content was 70.36±1.24% in Sham group, 84.26±3.07% in ALI group and 75.72±1.96% in EPO group, P<0.01; MPO: 2.23±0.67, 7.56±1.02, 5.73±0.86, P<0.01; apoptotic index: 3.73±0.39, 25.69±4.54, 9.59±2.59, P<0.01). EPO could inhibit the expression of NF-#B in lung tissues, inhibit the levels of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-a and IL-6, but improve the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, thus reducing the pathological changes of lung tissues and producing protective effects towards lung tissues. ? 2019 Association of Clinical Scientists. All rights reserved.