The Effects of Ulinastatin on SP-A in Lung Injury Induced by Severe Acute Pancreatitis in Rats

Objective To evaluate the effect of ulinastatin on the level of surfactant protein A (SP-A) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in lung injury induced by severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in rat model, and protection mechanisms of ulinastatin thereof. Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (n=20), SAP model group (n=20) and ulinastatin group (n=20). The SAP model was induced by retrograde infusion of 5% sodium cholate into the bile-pancreatic duct. Twenty-four hour after operation, the left lung ’ s BALF liquid was collected and the level of SP-A in BALF liquid was detected by ELISA method. The BALF liquid was differentially counted by using microscope. The wet-to-dry lung weight ratio was recorded. Results The value of wet/dry lung weight ratio and the level of neutrophil granulocytes in BALF were higher in SAP group than those of control group and ulinastatin group. The wet/dry lung weight ratio and the neutrophil granulocyte content in BALF were significantly higher in ulinastatin group than those of control group (P0.05). The levels of SP-A and macrophages in BALF were significantly lower in SAP group than those of control group. The level of lymphocytes was significantly higher in SAP group and ulinastatin group than that of control group (P0.05). There were no significant differences in total cell number of BALF between three groups. Conclusion The level of SP-A in BALF was lower in lung injury induced by SAP. Ulinastatin can protect the SP-A of BALF in SAP rats.