Effect of budesonide on lipopolysaccharides-induced acute lung injury in rats

Objective To investigate the effect of budesonide on lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in rats. Methods Thirty healthy adult Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into control group, LPS group and budesonide treated group, ten in each group.LPS (5 mg/kg) was given by intubation to establish ALI model in rats.In budesonide group, budesonide (500 μg/kg) was given through airway after LPS given for 24 hours.After 48 hours, the clearance rate of lung water and the ratio of wet to dry weight of lung were measured.The level of interleukin-1β in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The histopathological changes of lung were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 was observed by immunohistochemistry. Results Compared with LPS group, the lung structure damage was alleviated, the infiltration of inflammatory cells decreased, alveolar fluid clearance increased significantly (all P<0.01), the ratio of wet to dry weight of lung decreased (P<0.05), the protein content and the exudation of neutrophils and macrophages in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 decreased in budesonide treated group. Conclusions Budesonide has a protective effect on ALI rats induced by LPS.The mechanism may be associated with decreasing inflammation, reducing intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression and enhancing alveolar fluid clearance. Key words: Acute lung injury; Lipopolysaccharides; Budesonide; Alveolar fluid clearance; Intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1