The lung protective effect of Tongfu Xiefei method in rats with sepsis / 中国中西医结合急救杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the lung protective effect of Tongfu Xiefei method (TFXF) in rats with sepsis, and to discuss its possible mechanism.Methods Forty-two Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into blank control group (n = 6), model group (n = 18) and TFXF group (n = 18). Sepsis model was reproduced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in rats of model group and TFXF group. After the reproduction of sepsis model, rats in TFXF group received Tongfu Xiefei granules 0.01 mL/g by gavge, while those in model group were given equal dose of normal saline by the same way. The rats in blank control group received no treatment. At 3, 6, 12 hours after CLP, abdominal aorta blood was collected for blood gas analysis and inferior vena cava blood was collected for determination of the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for measurement of concentrations of total protein (TP), total phospholipid (TPL), and desaturated phosphatidyl choline (DSPC). The ratio of wet/dry lung weight ratio (W/D) was measured, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in lung tissues were determined. The pathologic changes in their lungs were observed with light microscopy.Results Compared with those in blank control group, the levels of pH value, arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2), HCO3-, base excess (BE) were lowered, and partial pressure of carbon dioxide of arterial blood (PaCO2) was increased in model group. The serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 were gradually increased after the reproduction of sepsis model. Compared with those in blank control group, the levels of TP, TPL, and DSPC/TPL in model group were decreased, while the levels of W/D, MDA and MPO were increased. Compared with those in model group, pH value was elevated in TFXF group at 3 hours (7.27±0.04 vs. 7.18±0.07,P < 0.05). PaO2 (mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) was improved at 3, 6, 12 hours (3 hours 128.00±16.05 vs. 106.78±10.73, 6 hours 98.46±15.97 vs. 72.80±16.33, 12 hours 90.70±9.31 vs. 74.28±12.19, allP < 0.05). The serum concentrations of TNF-α (ng/L) in TFXF group were significantly lower than those in model group at 12 hours (508.20±94.08 vs. 756.60±138.77,P < 0.05), and the serum concentrations of IL-6 (ng/L) in TFXF group were significantly lower than those in model group at 6 hours and 12 hours (6 hours 687.80±35.00 vs. 849.40±148.28, 12 hours 728.80±214.41 vs. 917.00±245.96, bothP < 0.05). Compared with those of model group, the levels of TP (g/L) in BALF in TFXF group were significantly decreased at 12 hours (1.01±0.23 vs. 1.60±0.47,P < 0.05), and the levels of TPL (mg/L) in TFXF group were significantly increased at 12 hours (86.40±11.33 vs. 62.40±16.33,P < 0.05). The levels of DSPC/TPL in TFXF group were significantly higher than those in model group at 6 hours and 12 hours (6 hours 0.58±0.13 vs. 0.38±0.10, 12 hours 0.45±0.13 vs. 0.24±0.07, bothP < 0.05). The levels of W/D in TFXF group were significantly higher than those in model group at 3 hours (3.84±0.25 vs. 2.99±0.50,P < 0.01), but lower than those in model group at 12 hours (3.21±0.53 vs. 4.89±1.14,P < 0.05). The levels of MDA (nmol/mg) in TFXF group were significantly lower than those in model group at 6 hours and 12 hours (6 hours 4.04±2.58 vs. 8.89±2.61, 12 hours 11.31±3.60 vs. 20.60±8.10, bothP < 0.05), while the levels of MPO (U/g) in TFXF group were lower than those in model group at 12 hours (4.79±0.66 vs. 7.22±1.76,P < 0.05). Compared with model group, the lungs in TFXF group showed less morphological changes under light microscopy, such as pulmonary edema, congestion, effusion and fibrosis.Conclusions The method of Tongfu Xiefei may improve hypoxemia and metabolic acidosis, alleviate lung edema and ameliorate pulmonary pathological changes in rat sepsis model. Tongfu Xiefei method shows a protective effect in sepsis by the way of reducing peroxidative damage, inhibiting the release of proinflammatory factors and abating degradation of lung surfactant.