Effects of normal lymphatic fluid on rats with sepsis complicated with lung injury

Infection can be caused by severe burnt, trauma and hypoxia, further causing systemic inflammatory syndrome or sepsis. The sepsis occurs in about 2% of all hospitalizations and ranges from 6% to 30% in intensive care unit (ICU) in developed countries This study aimed to investigate the effects of normal lymph fluid on sepsis complicated with pulmonary injury.

Wistar rats were prepared for sepsis complicated with acute pulmonary model via cecal ligation and puncture, and received normal lymph fluid injection 60 min later. Artery blood-gas index, wet/dry weight (W/D) ratio of lung, Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of lung tissues were measured, along with protein content and cell count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blot were employed to measure expression of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in lung tissues, whilst enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to analyze serum expression of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 2 (IL-2).

Model group had significantly depressed PaO2 and pH value, higher W/D ratio, and MPO activity, lower SOD activity, higher protein and cell count of BALF, and up-regulation of TNF-α, IL-2 and NF-κB (p < 0.05 compared to sham group). Infusion of lymph fluid effectively improved blood-gas function, decreased W/D ratio, MPO activity, elevated SOD activity, and lowered TNF-α, IL-2 and NF-κB expression (p < 0.05 compared to model group).

Normal lymph fluid can inhibit NF-κB expression, suppress inflammation, and improve blood-gas exchange in lung tissues. Therefore, the normal lymph fluid could effectively relieve the sepsis complicated with pulmonary injury.