Effects of Tanshinone IIA sodium sulfonate on LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice

Objective: The study investigated the protective effect of Tanshinone IIA sodium sulfonate (TSS) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI), and the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Male C57/black mice were subjected to LPS (10 mg/kg, i.p.) administration to induce acute lung injury. Half an hour before LPS injection, mice were pretreated with TSS (30 mg/kg, i.p.). One hour, six and twelve hours later, mice were sacrificed. Lung edema and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed. Expression of pro-inflammatory factors (TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6) were measured by RT-PCR and ELISA in lung tissues. Markers of autophagy including LC3 and Beclin-1 expression were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot. Number of autophagosomes was observed by electron microscope. Results: Our results showed that TSS did not ameliorate the LPS-induced lung edema, but significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cell infiltration. LPS increased mRNA and protein expression of inflammatory factors (TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6) at all observed time. TSS markedly reduced the protein expression of IL-6 but not TNF alpha and IL-1 beta. In addition, LPS increased tissue autophagic levels (expression of Beclin-1, LC3 and number of autophagosomes) and TSS treatment further increased the autophagic levels. Conclusion: TSS exerts certain anti-inflammation and enhancing autophagy effects in LPS-induced ALI.