Protective effects of lung tissue in rabbits with acute lung injury using ulinastatin

Objective To study the effects on the expression of the tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)mRNA and its potential functions in rabbits with acute lung injury(ALI) using ulinastatin.Methods Thirty rabbits were randomly divided into three groups:control group(group A),ALI control group(group B) and ulinastatin treatment group(group C) with 10 in each group.ALI model was established by special equipment in group B and group C,and ulinastatin was applied in group C(100 000u/kg).The levels of TNF-α in plasma were observed at pre-injury and 2,4,6h post-injury.Blood-gas analysis was taken.6h later,the animals were killed,and the levels of TNF-α in lung tissue,the expression of TNF-α mRNA in lung tissue,content of lung water,lung/body ratio were measured,and pathologic changes of lung tissue were observed microscopically.Results Compared with group A,content of lung water,and lung/body ratio significantly increased(P0.05),and local hemorrhage,interstitial edema,alveoli exudation,and massive inflammatory cells infiltration were also observed in group B.While the levels of TNF-α in lung tissue and plasma and the expression of TNF-α mRNA in lung tissue significantly increased(P0.05),PaO2 significantly decreased(P0.05).In group C,compared with that in group B,the content of lung water decreased(P0.05) and only mild pathological changes were observed.the levels of TNF-α in lung tissue and plasma and the expression of TNF-α mRNA in lung tissue significantly decrease(P0.05),PaO2 significantly increased(P0.05).Conclusion Ulinastatin could inhibit content of lung water decreased and only mild pathological changes were observed.The levels of TNF-α in lung tissue and plasma and the expression of TNF-α mRNA in lung tissue significantly decreased(P0.05),PaO2 significantly increased.Ulinastatin may be effective in treating ALI.