ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of Xuanfeitongfufang Decoction on expressions of MD-2, NF-κB protein and its mRNA in lung of the rats with acute lung injury caused by LPS. Methods Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, dexamethasone group and Xuanfeitongfufang Decoction large-, medium-, small-dose group, each group had eight rats. The ALI rat model was established by LPS tail-intravenous injection (6 mg/kg). The rats in Xuanfeitongfufang Decoction groups were pretreated by Xuanfeitongfufang Decoction (15.12, 7.56, 3.78 g/kg) for 3 days before LPS induced ALI. The rats in dexamethasone group were pretreated by dexamethasone (5 mg/kg). MD-2, NF-κB protein and its mRNA were measured by immunohistochemistry and PCR. The histopathology of the lung injury was observed by light microscope. Results Compared with normal group, the expression of MD-2, NF-κB protein and its mRNA were obviously increased in model group (P<0.01). Compared with model group, the expression of MD-2, NF-κB protein and its mRNA were obviously decreased in Xuanfeitongfufang Decoction groups and dexamethasone group (P<0.01), and there was no obvious difference between Xuanfeitongfufang Decoction groups and dexamethasone group. Light microscope observation indicates that there were large areas of pulmonary hemorrhage and necrosis in model group. While in Xuanfeitongfufang Decoction group and dexamethasone group, the pathological manifestations were much more ameliorated than those of the model group. The lung bronchiale inflammation appeared occasionally, and the edema was lightly. Conclusion Xuanfeitongfufang Decoction can lessen the injury of lung tissue and has protective effects on rats with ALI, the mechanism is possibly related to the inhibition of the expressions of MD-2 and NF-κB protein and its mRNA in injured lung tissues.