Changes of TNF-α and IL-8 Concentration in Lung Tissue in Rats with Experimental Lung Damage

Objective To explore the effective mechanism of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interlukin-8(IL-8) in experimental lung damage by observing changes of TNF-α and IL-8 concentration in lung tissue during abdominal infection. Methods The cecal ligation and perforation were utilized to make the abdominal infection in rats.The rats were sacrificed respectively at 0,24,48,72,96 and 120 hours after operation. The pulmonary vascular permeability and the amount of different cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) were examined. The concentrations of TNF-α and IL-8 in BALF, lung tissue and plasma were assayed. Results The pulmonary vascular permeability and the neutrophil percentage of BALF increased progressively. The concentrations of TNF-α and IL-8 significantly increased in plasma, lung tissue and BALF. Significant correlation was respectively present between the TNF-α levels and the IL-8 levels in lung and BALF. The levels of TNF-α and IL-8 in lung and BALF were not correlated respectively with those in plasma. Conclusions TNF-α and IL-8 may be implicated in the inflammatory reaction of lung during early stage of abdominal infection. Lung injury derived from intestinal infection could be early discovered through assaying TNF-α and IL-8 concentration in BALF.