The Effects of Agomelatine Treatment on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Septic Lung Injuries in Rats.

Objective We designed an experimental model of sepsis in rats to investigate the effects of agomelatine (AGO) on lung tissues using molecular and histopathological methods. Materials and methods In our experimental model, the 32 rats were divided into 4 groups: group 1: control group (HEALTHY); group 2: lipopolysaccharide group (LPS); group 3: LPS plus 50 mg/kg AGO group (LPS + AGO50); and group 4: LPS plus 100 mg/kg AGO group (LPS + AGO100). An LPS-induced sepsis model was performed to replicate the pathology of sepsis. Rats from all 4 groups were killed after 12 hours, and their lungs were quickly collected. To investigate the therapeutic strategy, we evaluated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) messenger RNA expressions by real-time polymerase chain reaction using molecular methods and lung tissue damage indicators using histopathological methods. Results The expressions of TNF-α and NF-κB were reduced in the groups treated with AGO. The histopathology results supported the molecular results. Conclusion In this experimental study, we demonstrated for the first time the positive effects of AGO on LPS-induced sepsis in lung tissue using molecular and histopathological methods, indicating that it contributes to the prevention of lung damage.