Expression changes and significance of AQP-1 and AQP-5 in rats with sepsis-induced acute lung injury

Objective To investigate the expression changes and significance of aquaporin-1(AQP-1) and AQP-5 in rats with sepsis-induced acute lung injury. Methods A total of 60 SD adult male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: the blank control group,sham group and model group,with 20 rats in each group. In the model group,the rats with sepsis were induced by cecal ligation and puncture( CLP). In the sham group,the abdominal cavity was closed after cecal exploration operation,and nothing was done in the blank control group. Each group was further divided into four time points: 3 h,6 h,12 h and 24 h after the modeling,with 5 rats in each time point. Rats were sacrificed at different time points to measure the expression of AQP-1 and AQP-5 mRNA and protein by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blotting. Results After modeling 6 h,the pathological examination demonstrated alveolar wall thickening,the lungs capillary hyperemia,alveolar and interstitial edema and focal hemorrhage. The most obvious changes occurred at 12 h. No pathological changes were observed in the blank control group and sham group. The expression of AQP-1 and AQP-5 mRNA and protein in the model group at 6 h,12 h and 24 h was significantly lower than that of the blank control group and sham group( all P 0. 01),and the expression of AQP-1 and AQP-5 mRNA and protein at 6 h,12 h and 24 h was significantly lower than that of 3 h( all P 0. 01). Conclusion The expression of AQP-1 and AQP-5 is significantly decreased,which may play an important role in the acute lung injury induced by sepsis.