Expression and significance of nuclear factor κB in lun g injury after ischemia/reperfusion in hind limbs of rats

Objective: To investigate the effect of sk el etal muscle ischemia/reperfusion on the expression of nuclear factor kappa B(NF -κB) in lung injury of rats. Methods: Rat models of hind lim bs ischemia/reperfusion were established. Forty-eight rats were divided into 3groups: sham operation group(groupⅠ, n=8), ischemia group(groupⅡ, n=8),ischemia/reperfusion injury group(groupⅢ, n=32), which included subgroup s of 4, 12, 24, 48 hours after reperfusion. The changes of mRNA and protein expr ession of NF-κB p65/ IκBβ in lung were determined by using RT-PCR or Wester n blot. Results: In group Ⅲ, NF-κB p65 mRNA increased quick ly after reperfusion and reached peak 12 hours after reperfusion. The p65 detect ed by using Western blot reached peak 12 hours after reperfusion and then decrea sed slowly, but still remained at high level 48 hours after reperfusion. Express ion of IκBβ mRNA and protein in lung also increased after reperfusion and reac hed peak 24 hours after reperfusion. Conclusion: The NF-κBp6 5/IκBβ may play an important role in the damage of lung function after skeleta l muscle ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.