Expression of matrix metalloproteinases in lung tissue in a rat model of ventilator-induced lung injury / 中华麻醉学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the balance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in the lung tissue in a rat model of ventilator-induced lung injury. Methods Thirty healthy male SD rats weighing 200-250g were randomly divided into 3 groups( n = 10 each) group A spontaneous breathing; group B small tidal volume (VT = 7 ml?kg-1, RR = 40 bpm, FiO2=0.21) and group C large tidal volume (VT = 40 ml?kg-1, RR = 20 bpm, FiO2=0.21). The animals were mechanically ventilated for 4 h in group B and C. The lung injury was assessed by measurement of PaO2 /FiO2 . At the end of the experiment the animals were killed and the lungs were removed. The right lung was used for determination of the expression of mRNAs of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TTMP-2 using RT-PCR and histologic examination. The left lung was weighed and then lavaged. The broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for total WBC and neutrophil counts and determination of total protein content and gelatinase activity. After lavage the left lung was heated at 60℃. The W/D lung weight ratio was calculated. Results PaO2/FiO2 was significantly lower after 4h mechanical ventilation in group C than in group A and B. The total WBC count and total protein content in BALF were significantly higher in group C than in group A and B. The W/D ratio of the left lung was significantly higher in group C than in group A and B. Microscopic examination showed that there were marked WBC infiltration and destructive changes of alveolar walls in group C. The levels of gelatinase (MMP-2 and MMP-9) activities in BALF were significantly higher in group C than in group A and B. The expression of the mRNA of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was significantly higher in group C than in group A and B, but there was no significant difference in the expression of the mRNA of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 between group C and group A and B. Conclusion Large tidal volume ventilation can induce acute lung injury. MMP-2 and MMP-9 play an important role in the development of ventilator induced lung injury and the imbalance between MMPs and TIMPs contributes to the mechanism of ventilator-induced lung injury.