Ganoderic Acid A Inhibits Bleomycin-Induced Lung Fibrosis in Mice

Pharmacology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 105 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 568-575
Author(s):  
Gaoyan Wen ◽  
Tian Li ◽  
Hua He ◽  
Xianmei Zhou ◽  
Jia Zhu

<b><i>Background:</i></b> To study the protective effects of ganoderic acid A (GAA) on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> ICR mice were intratracheally instilled with BLM to induce pulmonary fibrosis on day 0. Then the mice were orally given GAA (25, 50 mg/kg) or dexamethasone (2 mg/kg). After treatment for 21 days, the mice were sacrificed. Wet dry weight (W/D) ratio of lung was used to detect pulmonary edema. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to evaluate the pathological changes. The levels of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), phosphorylated-smad3 (p-smad3), p-IκB, and p-nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in lung tissue were detected by western blot. <b><i>Results:</i></b> GAA treatment significantly improved MPO activity, W/D ratio, and lung histopathology. The protective effect of GAA may be related to downregulation of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MDA and upregulation of SOD. In addition, GAA significantly decreased the levels of TGF-β, p-smad3, p-IκB, and p-NF-κB, compared with those in BLM group. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> GAA has protective effect on BLM-induced lung injury, and TGF-β/Smad-3/NF-κB signaling pathway may play an important role in the pathogenesis of BLM-induced lung injury.

2002 ◽  
Vol 283 (1) ◽  
pp. L1-L11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret K. Winkler ◽  
John L. Fowlkes

Chronic lung disease due to interstitial fibrosis can be a consequence of acute lung injury and inflammation. The inflammatory response is mediated through the migration of inflammatory cells, actions of proinflammatory cytokines, and the secretion of matrix-degrading proteinases. After the initial inflammatory insult, successful healing of the lung may occur, or alternatively, dysregulated tissue repair can result in scarring and fibrosis. On the basis of recent insights into the mechanisms underlying acute lung injury and its long-term consequences, data suggest that proteinases, such as the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), may not only be involved in the breakdown and remodeling that occurs during the injury but may also cause the release of growth factors and cytokines known to influence growth and differentiation of target cells within the lung. Through the release of and activation of fibrosis-promoting cytokines and growth factors such as transforming growth factor-β1, tumor necrosis factor-α, and insulin-like growth factors by MMPs, we propose that these metalloproteinases may be integral to the initiation and progression of pulmonary fibrosis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Wan ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Shuangshuang Sun ◽  
Yang Yang ◽  
Yanling LV ◽  
...  

Abstract The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of ganoderic acid A (GAA) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury. In mouse model of LPS-induced acute lung injury, we found that GAA led to significantly lower lung wet-to-dry weight ratio and lung myeloperoxidase activity, and attenuated pathological damages. In addition, GAA increased superoxide dismutase activity, but decreased malondialdehyde content and proinflammatory cytokines levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Mechanistically, GAA reduced the activation of Rho/ROCK/NF-κB pathway to inhibit LPS-induced inflammation. In conclusion, our study suggests that GAA attenuates acute lung injury in mouse model via the inhibition of Rho/ROCK/NF-κB pathway.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
An-qi Ren ◽  
Hui-jun Wang ◽  
Hai-yan Zhu ◽  
Guan Ye ◽  
Kun Li ◽  
...  

Background and Aims:Rabdosia japonica var. glaucocalyx is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for various inflammatory diseases. This present work aimed to investigate the protective effects of R. japonica var. glaucocalyx glycoproteins on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and the potential mechanism.Methods: Glycoproteins (XPS) were isolated from R. japonica var. glaucocalyx, and homogeneous glycoprotein (XPS5-1) was purified from XPS. ANA-1 cells were used to observe the effect of glycoproteins on the secretion of inflammatory mediators by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Flow cytometry assay, immunofluorescence assay, and Western blot analysis were performed to detect macrophage polarization in vitro. The ALI model was induced by LPS via intratracheal instillation, and XPS (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg) was administered intragastrically 2 h later. The mechanisms of XPS against ALI were investigated by Western blot, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry.Results:In vitro, XPS and XPS5-1 downregulated LPS-induced proinflammatory mediators production including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and nitric oxide (NO) and upregulated LPS-induced IL-10 secretion. The LPS-stimulated macrophage polarization was also modulated from M1 to M2. In vivo, XPS maintained pulmonary histology with significantly reducing protein concentration and numbers of mononuclear cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The level of IL-10 in BALF was upregulated by XPS treatment. The level of cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 was downregulated. XPS also decreased infiltration of macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in lung. XPS suppressed the expression of key proteins in the TLR4/NF-κB signal pathway.Conclusion: XPS was demonstrated to be a potential agent for treating ALI. Our findings might provide evidence supporting the traditional application of R. japonica var. glaucocalyx in inflammation-linked diseases.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 1049 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vahid Ehsani ◽  
Maryam Mortazavi ◽  
Khodayar Ghorban ◽  
Maryam Dadmanesh ◽  
Reza Bahramabadi ◽  
...  

Cytokines are the main factors involved in the normal functions of the placenta and delivery process. The aim of this project was to compare serum levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-6, tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) in term and prolonged-pregnancy mothers and their neonates. This study was performed on 240 participants including 60 term and prolonged-pregnancy neonates and their corresponding mothers. Serum levels of IL-8, IL-6, TNF-α and TGF-β were evaluated by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. The results revealed that IL-8 serum levels were significantly lower in the prolonged-pregnancy mothers and their neonates when compared with term mothers and their neonates. Data analysis also revealed a negative correlation between TGF-β and age of prolonged-pregnancy mothers. A poor positive correlation between IL-6 and head circumference of term neonates was also observed. IL-8 may play crucial roles in the process of on-time delivery and age may significantly affect TGF-β production in prolonged-pregnancy mothers. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, can also be considered as main factors involved in fetal growth.


2007 ◽  
Vol 293 (2) ◽  
pp. L446-L452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takefumi Itoh ◽  
Hiroaki Obata ◽  
Shinsuke Murakami ◽  
Kaoru Hamada ◽  
Kenji Kangawa ◽  
...  

Adrenomedullin (AM), an endogenous peptide, has been shown to have a variety of protective effects on the cardiovascular system. However, the effect of AM on acute lung injury remains unknown. Accordingly, we investigated whether AM infusion ameliorates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury in rats. Rats were randomized to receive continuous intravenous infusion of AM (0.1 μg·kg−1·min−1) or vehicle through a microosmotic pump. The animals were intratracheally injected with either LPS (1 mg/kg) or saline. At 6 and 18 h after intratracheal instillation, we performed histological examination and bronchoalveolar lavage and assessed the lung wet/dry weight ratio as an index of acute lung injury. Then we measured the numbers of total cells and neutrophils and the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). In addition, we evaluated BALF total protein and albumin levels as indexes of lung permeability. LPS instillation caused severe acute lung injury, as indicated by the histological findings and the lung wet/dry weight ratio. However, AM infusion attenuated these LPS-induced abnormalities. AM decreased the numbers of total cells and neutrophils and the levels of TNF-α and CINC in BALF. AM also reduced BALF total protein and albumin levels. In addition, AM significantly suppressed apoptosis of alveolar wall cells as indicated by cleaved caspase-3 staining. In conclusion, continuous infusion of AM ameliorated LPS-induced acute lung injury in rats. This beneficial effect of AM on acute lung injury may be mediated by inhibition of inflammation, hyperpermeability, and alveolar wall cell apoptosis.


2016 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 505-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Sun ◽  
Yu-Jun Du ◽  
Hui Zhao ◽  
Guo-Xing Zhang ◽  
Ni Sun ◽  
...  

Abstract The effectiveness of ulinastatin and methylprednisolone in treating pathological changes in mice with radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) was evaluated. Forty C57BL/6 female mice received whole-chest radiation (1.5 Gy/min for 12 min) and were randomly allocated into Group R (single radiation, n =  10), Group U (ulinastatin treatment, n =  10), Group M (methylprednisolone treatment, n =  10), or Group UM (ulinastatin and methylprednisolone treatment, n =  10). Another 10 untreated mice served as controls (Group C). Pathological changes in lung tissue, pulmonary interstitial area density (PIAD) and expression levels of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in lung tissue, serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were determined. Alleviation of pathological changes in lung tissue was observed in Groups U, M and UM. Treatment with ulinastatin, methylprednisolone or both effectively delayed the development of fibrosis at 12 weeks after radiation. Ulinastatin, methylprednisolone or both could alleviate the radiation-induced increase in the PIAD ( P  &lt; 0.05 or P  &lt; 0.01). Treatment with ulinastatin, methylprednisolone or both significantly reduced the expression of TNF-α, but not TGF-β1, at 9 weeks after radiation compared with Group R ( P  &lt; 0.01). Ulinastatin and / or methylprednisolone effectively decreased the level of TNF-α in lung tissue after RILI and inhibited both the inflammatory response and the development of fibrosis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (16) ◽  
pp. 8833
Author(s):  
Ruben M. L. Colunga Biancatelli ◽  
Pavel Solopov ◽  
Christiana Dimitropoulou ◽  
John D. Catravas

Exposure to hydrochloric acid (HCl) represents a threat to public health. Children may inhale higher doses and develop greater injury because of their smaller airways and faster respiratory rate. We have developed a mouse model of pediatric exposure to HCl by intratracheally instilling p24 mice (mice 24 days old; 8–10 g) with 2 µL/g 0.1 N HCl, and compared the profile of lung injury to that in HCl-instilled adults (10 weeks old; 25–30 g) and their age-matched saline controls. After 30 days, alveolar inflammation was observed with increased proteinosis and mononuclear cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in both HCl-instilled groups. Young p24 animals—but not adults—exhibited higher NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome levels. Increased amounts of Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) mRNA and its intracellular canonical and non-canonical pathways (p-Smad2 and p-ERK) were found in the lungs of both young and adult HCl-instilled mice. Constitutive age-related differences were observed in the levels of heat shock protein family (HSP70 and HSP90). HCl equally provoked the deposition of collagen and fibronectin; however, significant age-dependent differences were observed in the increase in elastin and tenascin C mRNA. HCl induced pulmonary fibrosis with an increased Ashcroft score, which was higher in adults, and a reduction in alveolar Mean Alveolar Linear Intercept (MALI). Young mice developed increased Newtonian resistance (Rn) and lower PV loops, while adults showed a higher respiratory system resistance and elastance. This data indicate that young p24 mice can suffer long-term complications from a single exposure to HCl, and can develop chronic lung injury characterized by a stronger persistent inflammation and lesser fibrotic pattern, mostly in the airways, differently from adults. Further data are required to characterize HCl time- and dose-dependent injury in young animals and to identify new key-molecular targets.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takwa Mohammed Abdul Salam ◽  
Amany Helmy Hasanin ◽  
Wesam El-Bakly ◽  
Mona Hussein Raafat ◽  
Nesreen Omar ◽  
...  

Introduction: Doxorubicin is a highly effective anticancer agent with serious cardiotoxic effects. Hypertension is considered as a major risk factor for doxorubicin cardiotoxicity. It should be noted that about one-third of cancer patients have hypertension, and melatonin can have cardio-protective effects. The present study aimed to further investigate the possible beneficial effects of melatonin co-administration to perindopril against doxorubicin cardiotoxicity in hypertensive rats. Method: Rats were randomly assigned to naïve group and L-NAME group, which was further subdivided into untreated, doxorubicin, doxorubicin/perindopril, doxorubicin/melatonin and doxorubicin/perindopril/melatonin subgroups. Cardiac functions, CK-MB, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase (SOD), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and cardiac percentage area of collagen fibers were evaluated. Results: Combining melatonin with perindopril to doxorubicin produced significant decreases in left ventricular end diastolic pressure, malondialdehyde, TNF-α, and TGF-β. It resulted in significant increases in left ventricular dP/dtmax and SOD, in addition to apparent improvement in cardiac histopathology with a significant decrease in percentage area of collagen deposition compared to perindopril alone. Conclusion: Co-administration of melatonin to perindopril in hypertensive rats who received doxorubicin alleviated doxorubicin cardiac toxicity more than using perindopril alone. These effects could be explained by the reported antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-fibrotic effects of melatonin.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Lijuan Chen ◽  
Chengzhong Lan ◽  
Hong Xiao ◽  
Xiaoli Zhang ◽  
Xiangrong Qi ◽  
...  

Background. Rho-related coiled helix forming protein kinase (Rho-ROCK) and another important fibrogenic factor-PDGF play a critical role in collagen deposition in rat lung tissue. Yifei decoction (YFT), a Chinese herbal decoction, has been used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in clinical practice and has produced positive outcomes; however, convincing evidence is currently lacking. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of YFT combined with MitoQ in rats with IPF and to explore the underlying mechanism. Methods. Rat IPF model was established by endotracheal injection of 5 mg/kg BleomycinA5 into the specific pathogen-free SD rats. MitoQ (6.5 μmol/kg once daily), YFT (10 ml/kg once daily), and MitoQ + YFT (6.5 μmol/kg + 10 ml/kg once daily) were used to treat the rat model for 4 weeks, respectively. The normal rats without IPF were used as the controls. After 4 weeks of drug treatment, lung histopathology was assessed. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of fibronectin and collagen IV in lung tissue. The expression of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, GSH-Px, SOD, MDA, and hydroxyproline was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of TGFβ1, NOX4, PDGFR-β, and ROCK1 were determined using real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot. Results. After 4 weeks of drug treatment, comparison of the MitoQ + YFT group with the IPF group showed that lung injury scores, W/D, lung tissue hydroxyproline, fibronectin, collagen IV content, and IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and MDA levels were significantly lower ( P < 0.05 ), as well as the expression of TGFβ1, NOX4, PDGFR-β, and ROCK1, but the activity of GSH-Px and SOD was higher ( P < 0.05 ). Conclusion. MitoQ combined with YFT can improve lung injury in rats with pulmonary fibrosis by reducing the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and inhibiting TGFβ1/NOX4 and PDGF/ROCK signaling pathways. It may provide a new method for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takwa Mohammed Abdul Salam ◽  
Amany Helmy Hasanin ◽  
Wesam El-Bakly ◽  
Mona Hussein Raafat ◽  
Nesreen Omar ◽  
...  

Introduction: Doxorubicin is a highly effective anticancer agent with serious cardiotoxic effects. Hypertension is considered as a major risk factor for doxorubicin cardiotoxicity. It should be noted that about one-third of cancer patients have hypertension, and melatonin can have cardio-protective effects. The present study aimed to further investigate the possible beneficial effects of melatonin co-administration to perindopril against doxorubicin cardiotoxicity in hypertensive rats. Method: Rats were randomly assigned to naïve group and L-NAME group, which was further subdivided into untreated, doxorubicin, doxorubicin/perindopril, doxorubicin/melatonin and doxorubicin/perindopril/melatonin subgroups. Cardiac functions, CK-MB, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase (SOD), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and cardiac percentage area of collagen fibers were evaluated. Results: Combining melatonin with perindopril to doxorubicin produced significant decreases in left ventricular end diastolic pressure, malondialdehyde, TNF-α, and TGF-β. It resulted in significant increases in left ventricular dP/dtmax and SOD, in addition to apparent improvement in cardiac histopathology with a significant decrease in percentage area of collagen deposition compared to perindopril alone. Conclusion: Co-administration of melatonin to perindopril in hypertensive rats who received doxorubicin alleviated doxorubicin cardiac toxicity more than using perindopril alone. These effects could be explained by the reported antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-fibrotic effects of melatonin.


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