Carbon Monoxide Releasing Molecule-2 Protects Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Function of Rat Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation via Attenuation of TNF-α/NF-κB Signaling
Abstract The unique features of post–cardiac arrest pathophysiology are often superimposed on the disease or injury, causing the cardiac arrest, as well as underlying comorbidities. Exogenous carbon monoxide (CO) was reported to reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). This study aimed to assess the effects of CO releasing molecule-2 (CORM-2) on intestinal mucosal barrier function after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in rats. For this purpose, we established a rat model of asphyxiation-induced cardiac arrest and resuscitation to study intestinal IRI, and measured the serum level of intestinal fatty-acid binding protein (I-FABP). The expression levels of claudin-3, occludin, ZO-1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 were detected by Western blotting. CORM-2 up-regulated the expression levels of tight junction proteins (claudin-3, occludin, and ZO-1) in intestinal mucosa, leading to the reduction of the permeability of intestinal mucosa and reduced the release of proinflammatory cytokines. Besides, the CORM-2 exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by regulating the TNF-α/NF-κB pathway. In conclusion, CORM-2 treatment is clinically significant, preventing intestinal mucosal damage as a result of IRI during CPR.