Effect of Shenfu injection on lung injury after intestinal ischemia/reperfusion in rats

Growing evidence has highlighted the contribution of gastrointestinal ischemia/reperfusion (IR) in the process of acute lung injury. This study aims to investigate effect of Shenfu injection on preventing and treating lung injury caused by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion. Effect of Shenfu injection on levels of tumor necrosis factor-a, inducible nitric oxide synthase and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 was also determined. An intestinal ischemia/reperfusion model was established. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into ischemia/reperfusion, normal control, and Shenfu groups. Blood gases and blood lactate, lung wet/dry weight ratio, and myeloperoxidase activity were detected. Mean arterial pressure was monitored before and after reperfusion. The amount of tumor necrosis factor-a in plasma and lung tissue was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Inducible nitric oxide synthase and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in lung and intestinal tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry. Shenfu injection significantly attenuated pathological damage in lung caused by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion, improved oxygenation in lungs, and reduced lung wet/dry weight ratio and myeloperoxidase activity. After Shenfu injection, tumor necrosis factor-a contents in plasma and lung tissue, and expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 caused by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion, were inhibited. The mean arterial pressure in ischemia/reperfusion group after reperfusion was significantly decreased compared to Shenfu group. In conclusion, Shenfu injection could prevent occurrence of lung injury caused by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion and accordingly prevented development of multiple organ dys-function. This effect is achieved through inhibiting release of tumor necrosis factor-a, inducible nitric oxide synthase and intercellular adhesion molecule-1.