The effect of Caspase-1 inhibitor on the expression of interleukin 18 of lung in experimental severe acute pancreatitis

Objective To assess the therapeutic effect of Caspase-1(called interleukin-1β converting enzyme,ICE)inhibitor on acute lung injury(ALI) in experimental severe acute pancreatitis(SAP) and the expression of interleukin 18 in the lung.Methods Forty-two SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:healthy controls,SAP-S group and SAP-ICE-I group.The rats were sacrificed after operation at 6,12 and 18 hours.The levels of serum amylase(AMY),ratio of lung weight wet to dry were measured.The expression of IL-18 in lung tissue was measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.Results There were decrease of serum AMY and ratio of lung weight wet to dry in SAP-ICE-I group at 6 h,12 h,18 h significantly compared with those in the SAP-S group(P0.01,P0.05).The expressions of IL-18 protein was decreased significantly in SAP-ICE-I group compared with those in the SAP-S group(P0.01).Conclusion Caspase-1 inhibitor can reduce the expression of IL-18,and reduced lung lesion from ALI in experimental SAP.