Effects of limb ischemic preconditioning on cytokine levels and apoptosis of lung cell in lung ischemia-reperfusion rabbit

Objective:To investigate the effects of limb ischemic preconditioning on cytokine levels and apoptosis of lung cell in lung ischemia-reperfusion rabbit.Methods: Eighteen Japanese long ear rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: sham operation group(S group,n=6),lung ischemia-reperfusion group(I/R group,n=6),limb ischemic preconditioning group(L group,n=6).Before and after lung ischemia,the levels of TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-10 in plasma at 60,120 and 180 min were determined.Then,the levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-10 in lung tissue and apoptosis index(AI) in lung cell were determined.Pathologic changes of lung tissues and the index of quantitative assessment of histological lung injury(IQA) were observed.Results: Compared to I/R group,the levels of TNF-α,IL-6 in the plasma and lung tissue were significantly decreased and IL-10 level was significantly increased after lung ischemia-reperfusion in L group.At the same time,AI and IQA were significantly decreased in L group(P0.01).The morphologic damages were also significantly reduced in L group.Conclusion: Limb ischemic preconditioning has protective effect against lung ischemia-reperfusion injury,which might be mediated through inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α,IL-6) and increasing the production of anti-inflammatory cytokine(IL-10) to suppress the cell apoptosis of lung tissue.