Study of effects on extravascular lung water and mechanism by Panax notoginseng saponins in rats with acute lung injury induced by intestinal ischeamia reperfusion

Objective To investigate the effects on extravascular lung water (EVLW) and mechanism by Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) in intestinal ischeamia reperfusion (Ⅱ/R) induced acute lung injury (ALI) rat model.Methods Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups:(①sham-operated group,laparotomy without Ⅱ/R ( n =12);②sham+PNS group,identical to group one except for PNS treatment ( n =12) ;③Ⅱ/R group,one hour of intestinal ischemia followed by three hours of reperfusion ( n =12) ; ④Ⅱ/R + PNS group,injection of 100 mg/kg PNS,intravenously,15 minutes before reperfusion ( n =12).The effects of PNS administration on lung tissue histology,index of EVLW (EVLWI),expression of αENaC mRNA and protein,PaO2/FiO2 and PaCO2 were examined.Results Compared with Ⅱ/R group,pulmonary parenchymal damages and EVLWI were significantly reduced in Ⅱ/R + PNS group.The expressions of αENaC mRNA and protein in lung tissue were increased by PNS treatment.In addition,PaO2/FiO2 was improved remarkably in the Ⅱ/R+ PNS group compared with the Ⅱ/R group.Conclusions Administration of PNS berore reperfusion injury decreases EVLW of rat with ALI induced by Ⅱ/R,and this is partly attributable to prevention the decreases of expression of αENaC mRNA and protein. Key words: Panax notoginseng saponins;  Acute lung injury;  Extravascular lung water; Epithelialsodium channel